NRL: Hodges becomes believer in Bennett

Broncos player Justin Hodges said he had no second thoughts about retiring. Photo / Getty Images

The return of Wayne Bennett was not enough to convince Brisbane veteran Justin Hodges the Broncos could be 2015 NRL title contenders.

A week ahead of the finals, Brisbane skipper Hodges admits he is now a believer.

Bennett made no promises when the master coach regained the Broncos' reins for this season after a seven-year absence.

But the Broncos' long suffering faithful dared to dream of a seventh premiership in Bennett's first year back.

Not Hodges, however.

"To be honest, not in the first year - I thought it would take a few years," said Hodges, who will retire at season's end.

"But the guys have worked the hardest I have seen in the off-season, changed their mindset and you can see the respect the guys have for each other on the field.

"When you have a side doing that, you are going to be hard to beat."

Hodges, 33, said he had no second thoughts about retiring.

"That's the best advice I got from Locky [Broncos great Darren Lockyer]," he said. "Once you have made the decision you get that extra 10-20 per cent you normally wouldn't have, you'd stay in your comfort zone otherwise."

Hodges admitted he was "counting down the games" ahead of retirement.

South Sydney have ruled out releasing coach Michael Maguire from the final two years of his contract to link with Newcastle.

Maguire has been approached by Newcastle management to take up the vacant Knights coaching position next year. He is believed to be one of two candidates for the position along with former St George Illawarra mentor Nathan Brown.

"To put an end once & for all to a limping dog of a 'story': Madge ain't going nowhere," chairman Nick Pappas tweeted yesterday.

- AAP