After the dizzy heights of 2007 where the holy trinity of leading MVP point getter, top goal scorer, and Stallion of the Year were secured, Hodges was always likely to struggle to live up to expectations in 2008. Despite this, he turned in another typically whole hearted season, befitting his status as (I believe) the longest serving Stallion.
Ben started the season upfront before being relegated to the midfield by the emerging telepathic partnership of Tristin and Gus. In the middle of the park he formed a mildly promisisng "little and large" partnership with Paddy, which unfortunately promised more than it delivered - at least in terms of goals, with Paddy failing to net, and Hodges scoring 3. One was particulary memorable however when Ben cut in from the left and using his bad (having seen his left foot his right foot has to be truly awful to be called bad) right foot stuck the ball in the corner of the net from the top of the area. A great goal, somewhat ruined by Ben's insistence of talking about it ever since.
Low point of Ben's season was undoubtedly the pathetic attempt to win a penalty against the Sealords when he collapsed to the ground claiming a ruptured spleen from a knee to the back, despite there being no other player within 5 yards of him. As Paddy knows only too well a dive has to be pretty bad for even your own team mates to laugh at you...
Overall another solid season from Ben. He played in every position except 'keeper or fullback and only really looked uncomfortable at centre back (which may well have had something to do with the conditions at Grenada North). Only one game missed due to a wedding, he once again supplied Steve as a ref which after Jason's 1 minute cameo against Petone can never be undervalued. Overall rating 7 (without supplying Steve it would have been 6.5).
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