Canterbury halfback Trent Hodkinson admits he’s struggled for form ever since his State of Origin heroics.

Hodkinson was the toast of the state when he scored the try and kicked the goal to seal a 6-4 win over Queensland in game two and clinch the series.

But the 25-year-old has failed to reach those heights since returning to the NRL as the Bulldogs slumped to four straight losses, tumbling from the top of the ladder.

Friday’s hard-fought 18-16 win over Parramatta stopped the rot and a brutally honest Hodkinson said he was much happier with his contribution having sought advice from coach Des Hasler earlier this week.

“I went to Des and asked him to look over my game and he did so,” he said.

“He came back and said ‘we’ve not had too much of the footy over the last few weeks so don’t be too tough on yourself’.

“That’s been our problem we’ve been coughing up too much footy. But I am my own worst critic and I take losses pretty hard.”

Hodkinson said he didn’t expect to suffer the Origin hangover that has blighted so many players in the past when they return to their clubs, but admitted the mental pressures took a bigger toll than he realised.

“I felt great when I came back and was ready to play some great footy for the Bulldogs but it wasn’t to be,” he said said.

“It (Origin) was tough on the body. There’s a lot of expectation on your shoulders when you come back to club footy.

“It was frustrating, if I knew why it was happening I would be genius.

“We had a few losses on the trot which didn’t help, but we have had a win now and hopefully we can keep the momentum going.”