Rugby League Live

Broncos star Justin Hodges learnt tonight what's acceptable on the race track isn't on the rugby league field, the centre suspended for two matches after his gesture at NRL referee Tony Archer last weekend.

The three-man NRL Judiciary of Mal Cochrane, Bob Lindner and Darrell Williams deliberated for just over half an hour tonight before finding Hodges guilty of a grade one contrary conduct charge.

Hodges, who only recently returned from a six-match ban for a dangerous throw, will miss the Broncos' matches against the Warriors and Dragons.

"I'm very disappointed with the outcome, I'm thankful I got a good hearing," Hodges said.

"I'm just going to serve my time and I'll then look forward to coming back in two weeks and playing some good footy."

The incident occurred just over an hour into the game after Archer awarded a penalty to Canberra when he deemed Brisbane winger Denan Kemp had illegally stripped the ball.

Hodges raised his right arm in a "up yours" salute behind Archer, who did not see the gesture.

He contended it was not directed towards Archer, who he said he thought had made the right decision.

Hodges said it was a gesture of frustration at the Broncos surrendering possession.

He didn't agree with judiciary counsel Peter Kite's contention that he had issued an "up yours" type gesture at the referee and revealed it was a motion he had used away from the rugby league field.

"I used it a few times at the race track getting home a horse." Hodges said.

Hodges' counsel Jim Hall said no abuse had accompanied the gesture and Archer could not have taken offence to it as he did not see the action.

Archer had his back to Hodges, who had urged him to look up at the big screen replay.

"It (the gesture) wasn't directed at the referee," Hodges said.

"It was just a bit of frustration."

With a plane to catch after the hearing, Hodges was unable to answer any questions from the assembled media after making a couple of brief comments.

I used it a few times at the race track getting home a horse. It wasn't directed at the referee.

Justin Hodges

Comments

6/08/2008 10:42:26 AM That's ridiculous, I saw it on TV and Justin Hodges wasn't even looking at the referee when the gesture was made. On top of an especially harsh suspension for what really wasn't nearly as bad of a "dangerous tackle" on Mark Riddell, it'd be forgivable of Hodges to feel hard done by the system. At this pivotal point in the Broncos' season, when they've finally started finding some consistency both in their line up and their form, it's a real disappointment to see this happen. Posted by: Alex O'Brien, Sydney, Australia Reply

6/08/2008 10:22:41 PM So Alex O'Brien who was it directed at? The Goal posts? Cmon lets get real here this bloke is an idiot and a repeat offender. If he just stuck to paying rugby league and stop the rot he may be remembered for that instead of his antics! Posted by: Master Sharky, Central Coast, Australia Reply

7/08/2008 12:23:49 AM Now that Hodges (and Brisbane) have paid this price, I'm sure we will see any player who swears at or near a referee, being cited as well. Not to mention, there will be no more tugs on ref's shirts or continual argueing with the ref after a decision?
The NRL judiciary need to find some constiancy, to find this gesture MORE offensive, then having the Sharks CAPTAIN pulling on a ref's shirt bemuses me. Do I tell the kids it's ok to pull the ref back, just don't give him an "up-yours"? Posted by: Ben Hampson, Everton Park, Australia Reply

7/08/2008 12:28:54 AM The only thing that is ridiculous about this is how anyone could defend this grub Hodges. Hodges is without doubt the biggest moron going around, though Alex O'Brien is making a very spirited challenge for that title. Posted by: Tobias F, parramatta, Australia Reply

7/08/2008 12:42:28 AM Yes Ben I agree any player after they gutlessly pick up and player without the ball and spear tackles them gets suspended (very lightly) then still doesnt learn to act like a human and does this should get the same 2 weeks on the sidelines. Maybe Hodges could grow some balls and act like a man in the future rather than a 4 year old child like he has for the past 8 years. Next time you're down at Red Hill pass on the advice. Posted by: Michael Bluth, St Ives, Australia Reply

FIRST LAST PREVIOUS NEXT

1 | ... 2

Two weeks: Judiciary gives Hodges an 'up yours'

Related Links

Comments

Comment

Send to friend

Continuous Call Team

Highlights

Grand Final

Grand Final

Your Say

LATEST FEATURES