After sitting on the sidelines of training since he arrived as a new recruit at the beginning of pre-season, the long awaited chance to train with the team on field came to an eager Trent Hodkinson last week.
“It was really refreshing. I’ve been isolated on my own for a fair bit fitness wise,” he told Knights TV.
“It was good to get out amongst the boys and get into the mix of things in attack.”
While still limited to minimal contact on the field, the opportunity to have a run alongside his new teammates was what the skilful halfback been waiting for since recovering from a fractured arm sustained last season.
“I see the surgeon next Friday and hopefully that will be the final session with him and he can give me the all clear so I can start doing everything again,” he explained.
“I’m looking forward to that.
“I’m still not on the defensive side of things yet, but am getting and working on combinations in attack and things are going well.”
His return to the field also marked the first sparks of a partnership between him and longtime Knights playmaker, Jarrod Mullen.
“It’s still early days, but I’ve been out there mid last week and everything has come along nicely,” he added.
“The more I’m out there the better and hopefully we can build on that over the next few weeks.
“There are a few halves there so we are all mixing and matching.”
Although his training capacity has been restricted, the variety of the pre-season schedule has allowed the Origin half to build his fitness and strength inline with the rest of the team.
“We’ been out on the paddock focusing on our defensive side of things and also working on our attack," Hodkinson said.
“We’ve had a bit of wrestling today.
“It’s been a mixture of everything and has been over the course of the pre-season.
“The boys are really working hard and reaping the benefits.”
The fact he’s bonded well with his new teammates and there’s good cohesion in the team has already aided his transition into a new Club.
“It’s quite a young squad but everyone gets along well and there’s no groups,” he said.
“There’s a lot of respect across the paddock, which is great.
“They are a great bunch of guys and the coaching staff has been really good as well."
It’s all the more reason Hodkinson can’t wait for the 2016 season to kick off.
“I’m looking to start the season off fresh and injury free and put my best foot forward for the Knights and hopefully get back up on the ladder," he said.
“I want to start the season off on a high and want to do my best for the team.”
