Canterbury halfback Trent Hodkinson has revealed the heartbreak of missing out on the 2012 NRL grand final is driving him ahead of this year’s decider.

The Bulldogs will meet South Sydney in Sunday’s grand final, with coach Des Hasler leading them to a second grand final in three years at Belmore on the back of their 14-4 loss to Melbourne in 2012.

NSW playmaker Hodkinson missed much of that year as he battled a series of injuries that had him considering throwing the game away. Kris Keating partnered Josh Reynolds in the halves against the Storm.

“I missed out in 2012. I was stoked for the boys they got there but disappointed I couldn’t be with them – but this time I will be there and I will soak it up during the week,” Hodkinson said.

“I did my medial (that year) then dislocated my shoulder and then dislocated the tendon in my other shoulder, so I had two shoulder surgeries six weeks apart and the medial kept me out for eight to nine weeks – so it was a tough year.

“I was at my darkest that year and obviously the boys going into the grand final made it harder as well, but in saying that I was stoked for them at the same time and hopefully we can get the win this time.”

Hodkinson’s calm and composed halfback play has been a feature of the Bulldogs’ efforts throughout 2014, evident in his golden point field goal that handed them a 18-17 win over Manly in the semi-finals.

The Bulldogs have found form at the right team, demolishing Melbourne 28-4 in the first week of the NRL finals, before inching past the Sea Eagles and getting the better of Penrith in Saturday’s preliminary final 18-12.

But Hodkinson, who continues to battle a knee complaint, said he and his teammates are determined to learn from their 2012 grand final loss.

“I was sitting on the sideline here last time … definitely it was tough.

“Unfortunately we didn’t get the win that time but two years later here we are with another chance.”