The tragic passing of Paul Green has made Justin Hodges confront the reality of repeated concussions throughout his career.
Justin Hodges
"It's sad, man. Everyone was so thrilled to see him and he looked so happy. When you see someone who's so smart and intelligent and is just a loveable guy … those are memories I'll hold onto forever."
Hodges and Green only played one game together at the Roosters before injury ended Green's 2002 season early but they linked up again three years later in Brisbane.
The pair remained close over the next 15 years, even when Green's Cowboys ruined Hodges' NRL swan song in the 2015 Grand Final.
Justin Hodges
"He has two beautiful kids and a lovely wife, but it just goes to show you, when you look at somebody, you don't really know what's going on underneath. He's just one person I never thought would do that."
Two months after he died, Green was diagnosed as having severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), linked to repeated head knocks sustained during his playing career.
MRI scan
MRI scan
It’s dangerous to imply a direct correlation between the disease and Green’s death, but it has caused concern for Hodges who played 300 games in the same era of rugby league and will face Paul Gallen for his eighth professional boxing match on November 23.
Video: YouTube | Studio 99 Crew
Hodges training 3
Hodges training 3
Justin Hodges
"It's hard, man, you get headaches now. But in the era that we played, you'd get knocked out and you'd continue to play with stars in your eyes and stuff."
Kalyn Ponga is one of a number of current players suffering concurrent concussions with the Newcastle fullback suffering five concussions in 2022 cutting his season short.
Hodges worked with Ponga when he was Queensland assistant coach under Kevin Walters and admits concern at the impact concussion is having on his career.
Justin Hodges
"You don't want to see that for someone that's got so much to offer the game. We've just gotta make sure that everyone's looked after, and I think the game is doing a great job of that now."