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Switching? ... Justin Hodges is keen on a move to fullback. Source: Peter Wallis / News Limited
Justin Hodges was so dirty about the way Brisbane Broncos finished the 2012 season he returned for pre-season two weeks early.
The Broncos were the early pace setters in 2012 and looked well on their way to a crack at another premiership before the wheels fell off during the State of Origin period.
In the end they just scraped in to the top eight and were bundled out of the play-offs in the first week by northern neighbours North Queensland Cowboys.
The slide was so severe, it included a six game losing streak and tugged at the pride of one of the game's top centres.
"Obviously I was a little bit dirty with how we finished," Hodges said on Fox Sports program NRL Summertime.
"We started so well and we finished so poorly. For me, it's still burning because we didn't deserve to go out the way we did."
For NRL Summertime's full chat with Justin Hodges, click on the video at the top of the page!
Hodges has endured a number of injury plagued seasons and hasn't always been considered the best trainer going around, but even at 30 the Queensland and Kangaroos rep is working on ways to improve his game.
"I came back a little bit early," Hodges said.
"Obviously I want to be in the best shape I can. It's the best shape I've been in with the skin folds and obviously my fitness test.
"I did my fitness test today and it's the first time in a long time I've actually got my goal before we finish our pre-season. Normally it takes me well into the new year but I've beaten that already and obviously it's the best I've felt."
And his determination to lead from the front might see the veteran take on a positional change in 2013.
Hodges started his career at fullback and after watching the exploits of Greg Inglis - his Origin centre partner - for South Sydney last season, the damaging ball runner is ready to make a similar impact from the back.
"Yeah, I spoke about it with the coach," Hodges said.
"It's something I've always enjoyed - I always played fullback since I started playing footy and only really moved into the centres when I went to the Roosters.
"So, for me, I'm hopeful I can get the chance.
"There's a lot more room at the back and when you're in the centres you're limited to one side, whereas playing fullback you can pop up wherever you like."
While Hodges is eying some extra responsibility on the field, he says he's not the kind of player to put too much time into off-field leadership.
"I just concentrate on playing footy first, that's my main priority," Hodges said.
"I know I'm one of the oldest guys, one of the senior players here but for me, I just put my footy first.
"We've got a great bunch of blokes here that look after themselves. And me and Sammy (Thaiday) and a few of the other boys watch over them sort of like a dad.
"But everyone's just doing their job."
Would the Broncos be better off with Hodges at fullback? Have your say below!
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