Latest news with #JustinHodges
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Got to look at a few things in his game': Michael Maguire explains call to drop Selwyn Cobbo
Broncos coach Michael Maguire is confident Selwyn Cobbo can win back his starting spot and potentially earn a new contract at the club despite dropping the State of Origin hopeful to reserve grade this weekend. Cobbo was initially named on the wing to take on the Titans on Saturday night but will instead play in the Queensland Cup after Maguire confirmed Josiah Karapani would come in to make his season debut after he played 10 games in 2024. 'As a group and as a leadership group and as a coach, we're pushing standards here and expectations in how we're doing things,' Maguire said. 'Karapani's got his opportunity and 'Selly's' got to look at a few things in his game and we'll go from there. 'Selly and I talk all the time about what we need to do, so I'll keep that (conversation) between us. 'There's obviously things that every player goes through at times and this is no different. 'Selly's in the background doing his work to make sure he gets himself right.' Cobbo remains unsigned for 2026, but Maguire insists his decision to drop the former Origin winger doesn't mean the end of his time in Brisbane. The powerful outside back has been challenged to win back his starting spot, with Broncos great Justin Hodges surprised Cobbo was the man to lose his spot after the Broncos were soundly beaten by Manly last week. 'I'm here to coach the team. We're creating standards and the team themselves, from the day when I walked in to where they are now, are still pushing those, which is exciting as a coach,' Maguire said. 'The more you meet those standards, the more opportunities you have.' The Broncos have plenty of reasons to aim up this weekend, with everyone now on notice ahead of the derby where the club will celebrate skipper Adam Reynolds' 300th NRL appearance. It's been a challenging couple of months for the Broncos who have dropped out of the top eight, but they have received a big boost with livewire fullback Reece Walsh returning from injury to breathe life into their attack. 'Reece is ready to go,' his coach said. 'We felt another week was required and he's trained really well this week. I'm looking forward to bringing his energy back in. He's a good player. I love coaching him, he'll do his job for the team.'
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Broncos legend's surprising Ezra Mam call after disaster
Brisbane legend Justin Hodges has publicly called on the Broncos turn towards Ezra Mam to pull the club out of its slump. The star playmaker made his rugby league return in the Queensland Cup on Sunday and watching the 22-year-old in action for 80 minutes was all Hodges needed to see to be convinced Mam is the missing ingredient the Broncos desperately need. Mam is expected to be named in the Broncos No. 6 jersey when coach Michael Maguire announces his team for the club's Round 11 battle with the Dragons at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Mam's return has been a debacle for the club after he was sensationally booed by spectators at Magic Round when his face was shown on the big screen inside the stadium. The 2023 Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year was available for selection last week after serving a nine-match suspension. The NRL handed Mam a breach notice in December after he had pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of illicit drugs without a licence following a car crash that injured three people in October. He was fined $850 and disqualified from driving for a period of nine months by the Brisbane Magistrates Court. No conviction was recorded. Mam in December accepted the nine week suspension and $120,000 in fines issued by the club and the league. Despite this, Mam's return to the field will bring hope for Broncos supporters after watching the club lose four of its past five games. Hodges' views on Mam's form and fitness will give Broncos fans even more hope. The Queensland State of Origin great watched on in his assistant coach role with Souths Logan as Mam inspired the team to a 66-10 flogging of Western Clydesdale. 'He was outstanding. That just shows the type of player that he is,' Hodges told Code Sports. 'He is too good to be playing here but obviously it is a privilege to have him. He is a first grade player. I'm pretty sure he will be back up there next week. 'Once Ezra gets back things should change (for the Broncos who have won just five from 10). 'You have a look at the success they had in 2023, everything came off the back of Ezra and Adam Reynolds steering things around. 'Look at all those little neat and tidy things he did like popping up with off-loads, kick chases, and scoring tries off kicks. You need that guy … once Ezra gets back he will give them that confidence.'' Mam's return in the Queensland Cup appeared to be a disaster from his first tackle of the game when he was put on report for a high tackle. He was not cited when the QRL announced its match review charges on Monday. Hodges said he believes the penny has dropped for Mam after serving his suspension. 'He has learned his lesson. We all make mistakes. Hopefully he can move forward and have a great career,' he said. According to Mam finished Sunday's game with one try, three try assists, two linebreaks, two linebreak assists, eight tackle busts, a 40/20 and 111 running metres. The timing of Mam's return couldn't have been better for the Broncos with Ben Hunt and Jock Madden set for time on the sidelines. Despite Hunt limping off with a hamstring injury during the Broncos' loss to the Rabbitohs, Maguire did not guarantee Mam's return. The club's plan for the rest of the season was to move Hunt to hooker and have Mam in the halves, but Maguire must reassess after Hunt's injury. While the halves conundrum will dominate team list Tuesday, Maguire's biggest concern right now is his side's form after they squandered a 14-0 half-time lead against the Rabbitohs. 'We didn't do what we did in the first half in the second half,' he said. 'We've got to learn how to do it for longer periods of time. It's as simple as that. We were disappointing in the second half. 'We have to learn how to do that or we'll keep bumbling like we did tonight. It's not good enough.'
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Reward offered for East Point murder suspect
East Point police want the public's help in finding a man wanted for murder. Police allege Justin Hodges shot Scott Melton at a Family Dollar store on Delowe Drive on Friday, Dec. 24, 2024. Hodges is wanted for murder and aggravated assault. Crime Stoppers Atlanta is offering up to a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of Hodges. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Tips can be submitted anonymously at 404-577-8477 or online at You can also text CSA and the tip to #274637. TRENDING STORIES: 3 children killed in fire at Atlanta apartment complex A Cobb woman was killed in her home. Now her estranged boyfriend will spend his life in prison Suspect, victim in deadly shooting at McDonald's in Gwinnett were coworkers, police say [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Manhunt continues for suspected gunman in deadly Christmas Eve killing in East Point
The Brief Authorities are searching for Justin Hodges, the suspect in a deadly Christmas Eve shooting at an East Point Family Dollar store. A reward of up to $2,000 is offered for information leading to Hodges' arrest and indictment. Hodges is accused of killing Scott Melton on December 24, 2024, and is wanted for murder and aggravated assault. The motive for the shooting has not been disclosed, and Hodges has been on the run since the incident. EAST POINT, Ga. - Authorities are continuing to search for the triggerman in a deadly Christmas Eve shooting at an East Point Family Dollar store. A reward of up to $2,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of Justin Hodges. What we know Hodges is accused of shooting and killing Scott Melton around 1:40 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2024, at the store located at 2433 Delowe Drive. Hodges, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall, is wanted for murder and aggravated assault. What we don't know Police say Hodges has been on the run ever since the shooting. The motive for the shooting has not been disclosed. What you can do Crime Stoppers Atlanta and East Point police are urging anyone with information on Hodges' whereabouts to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 404-577-TIPS (8477), visiting or texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). The Source The details in this article were provided by the East Point Police Department and Crime Stoppers of Greater Atlanta.
