A poor crowd on the Gold Coast on Friday night shouldn’t cloud the debate around the future of the NRL’s Indigenous All Stars clash, according to Justin Hodges.
The 32-year-old far north Queensland product has advocated a shift to Townsville for the pre-season clash as interest levels for the concept – originally conceived by Titans star Preston Campbell and the club’s former boss Michael Searle – wane on the tourist strip.
Slow ticket sales this week have led to projections of a crowd as low as 15,000 at Robina but Hodges said it was essential the NRL found room to keep it as a permanent fixture on the rugby league calendar.
“This game’s wonderful,” he said.
“I think for us it’s a game we always look forward to … there’s not too many players that wouldn’t put their hand up and come and have a run for this side.
“Obviously the Gold Coast has had a fair few games (but) I think it would be great up there (in Townsville). Why not?
“We had it up in Brisbane, why not take it up north?”
The Broncos star said he still gets “chills” up and down his spine in the lead-up to the All Stars clash.
“When we first got into these camps a few years ago, it sure did open our eyes up to a lot of culture things we didn’t know of,” said Hodges, who will play in his third All Stars fixture on Friday.
“It’s something that really struck home for myself and a lot of other players.”
For proof, look no further than Dane Gagai.
The Newcastle utility is prepping for his first-ever representative appearance and said he was in awe at the calibre of players he will be sharing the field with and the sheer emotional weight of the opportunity.
“To be honest, I’m not thinking about the ticket sales or any of that – I’m just thinking about doing my family and my people proud,” Gagai said.
“I played in the finals a couple of years ago but to have so many star players on the field at one time, for me it’s going to be an unbelievable experience.
“All us boys are just getting along well with each other and we’re all there for the same reason and that’s to represent our people and make our people proud.”
