Dodds laments leaving NRL’s Broncos

England-bound Brisbane forward Mitchell Dodds admits he doesn’t want to leave the club after emerging as a key piece to the Broncos’ NRL title tilt.

Dodds announced just weeks ago that he had signed a one-year deal with English Super League outfit Warrington for 2016.

However, Dodds, 26, conceded it would be tough to cut his Broncos ties next year after helping them launch a rare premiership push in 2015.

Brisbane hope to book their first grand final berth since 2006 in Friday night’s NRL preliminary final clash against Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.

“I don’t want to leave,” said Dodds, a Broncos under-20s graduate who made his NRL debut for Brisbane in 2010.

“I have been here a long time and we’ve got a good group of people here.

“You don’t want to leave your mates but it’s what happens sometimes.”

Dodds this season looks to be making up for lost time upon his return from back-to-back knee reconstructions.

He has made an impact from the outset for Brisbane, featuring in their World Club Series win over Wigan in England in February, and has emerged as a key bench forward.

But he is far from satisfied with his comeback now Brisbane is in sight of the grand final.

“Near enough is not good enough, we are pushing to win (the premiership),” said Dodds, who has played 17 NRL games this year.

He is unfazed by their last start result against minor premiers the Roosters and their monster pack – a 12-10 round 24 loss in Sydney.

“The ball didn’t bounce our way. We just need to control their forward pack a bit better,” Dodds said.

“They are big boys. We just need to do our homework on them.”

Brisbane return fresh from a week off earned for their 16-12 opening finals win over North Queensland.

Dodds hoped it would make the difference against a desperate Roosters.

“Leading up to the finals we ran up into a lot of big, heavy games and I think everyone needed a time out,” Dodds said of their beneficial break.

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