Canberra’s star hooker Tom Starling has credited club legend and former rake Josh Hodgson for his rise through the NRL ranks.
Starling has been in fine form in 2025 and his partnership with rookie dummy half Owen Pattie has helped the Green Machine to the top of the ladder and a probable minor premiership.
“I had a really good mentor in Josh Hodgson when I came into first grade and he helped me out a lot,” Starling told NRL.com.
“”I try to help Owen out whenever I can.
“He’s a smart footballer, he knows what he’s doing and I help him out as much as I can.
“He’s been really good to work with, he’ll ask questions and I’ll ask him questions too so it’s a good relationship and we’re working well together.”
Meanwhile Canberra skipper Joe Tapine has revealed to The Canberra Times that he has quite literally pictured his side holding up the NRL trophy on grand final night.
The hulking prop says he has been dreaming about clinching Canberra’s first premiership since 1994.
