Western Force star Matt Hodgson turns player counsellor as team battles for Super Rug

Great story
You can only admire this man

The public face of Matt Hodgson is one of the battered warrior, bleeding and bruised after putting his body on the line for his beloved Western Force.
But “Hodgo” has a very private face that few people see, one that has become increasingly important as Force players battle for Super Rugby survival.
Hodgson, a qualified mental health first aider and an ambassador for the Livin’ charity, has quietly been counselling players who are coming under increasing pressure over the uncertainty of their playing future.
A family issue, the death of former Wallaby Dan Vickerman and a chance meeting with members of Livin’, an organisation trying to break down the stigma attached to mental illness, combined to bring the problem home to the Force veteran.
And now the former Wallaby flanker has shouldered the responsibility of guiding teammates through the tough time.

More here

https://thewest.com.au/sport/western...-ng-b88484719z

Matt Hodgson always selflessly talks about how lucky he was that the Force came along and picked him up.

I think we were the lucky ones.....

There just has to be a circuit breaker to this deadlock. If it does not eventuate at the meeting this week, then hopefully at the EGM. However, even should there be a clean out of the board, I can forsee their replacements continuing to protect the same old interests rather than taking a whole-of-game new direction. :S
Hope I'm wrong.

I don't see the ARU ever changing. It will always be a case of same shit different day unless there is a fundamental overhaul of the way the game is managed in Australia. And who's going to initiate that? World Rugby? The federal govt?

Guys let's not hijack a post about Hodgo. There are plenty of other places to post about the ARU f***wits

Back to topic,

Do you realise that Hodgo is a freaking legend?

Reading that back, please, everybody note there is absolutely no sarcasm in my last post.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wholetruth

Guys let's not hijack a post about Hodgo. There are plenty of other places to post about the ARU f***wits

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OK. Go for your life.

When Hodgo retires from playing Rugby, surely we need to find him a job as an assistant coach or within team management. Our players will only benefit from his knowledge and experience.

Ex I doubt there would be too many players fitter than him even when he does retire.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Exile

When Hodgo retires from playing Rugby, surely we need to find him a job as an assistant coach or within team management. Our players will only benefit from his knowledge and experience.

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I seem to remember something about this contract involving a transition to coaching. That would probably be well under way but for injuries forcing him to play, probably a lot more minutes than originally planned.

We need to sign up Hodgo on a 100 year contract that he cannot get out of.
What a brilliant pic in that article.
I would love to see Ahn do paint his portrait.
Talk about a blend of toughness and compassion in equal measure.
What a great role model for young kids.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PJ43

We need to sign up Hodgo on a 100 year contract that he cannot get out of.

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Ironically, he's the one member of the entire organisation that we don't need to do that with. Hodgo has talked numerous times about being a Perth boy now, the integrity of the man suggests that he will be with the Force until he (or the Force) dies. It wouldn't take money, incetives or a locked-in, watertight contract. He's the original, and the best Forceman we will ever see.

We could be around for 100 years and we'll never see another Hodgo!

Just my opinion, but I'm sure lots on here would agree.

Agree +++++

Matt is the only captain of the Force for me. I know they put Ben and Heath in for this year but with what's going on I would rather see that C next to Matts name. As stated above Force man through and through. Must say probably a lot of sentimentality in my feeling but if the Force do go who would remember any other captains apart from Matt and Nathan.