2009 Western Forced Player Of The Year, Matt Hodgson.....



A tremendous athlete, tough and uncompromising. Very much in the Ben Kennedy type mould who himself was a tremendous rugby player.

What can you tell us about the top two shots, Eels?

The others I have seen before.

The top one looks like a Mille v Carcassonne club game at Le Stade Velodrome.

I recognise some of the players - Calbette, Bergese, Llary etc.

I am assuming they are all from the 1949 Final?

My old man saw the Frogs play in the 1950's. He still says they were the best team he ever saw.

The first one is Mille-Carcassone Velodrome 1949 finale de coupe, so you were right and the second is Mille XIII stde velodrome youth tournament opener 1955.

Your Dad has always sounded like a good judge.

The extensive footage I have of them suggests just the same.

He watched them play against the Riverina. That Rugby League legend about Aubert running out with a smoke in his mouth is a true story according to the old man.