Josh Hodgson has played his last NRL game for Canberra with a knee injury requiring season-ending surgery.
The Raiders hooker only suffered minor damage early in his side's round one win against Cronulla, but needs a knee reconstruction with scans revealing a partial ACL tear and other injuries after his return to training.
Hodgson, 32, will exit the club at season's end after 138 appearances, having penned a two-year contract with Parramatta from 2023.
"It's certainly not the way I wanted to finish up at Canberra," Hodgson said.
"After a disappointing year last year, it was probably the best I've felt this year in terms of my body, and I was feeling really fit and really fresh after a good pre-season with no internationals and no rehab.
"To do it in such a minor way and sustain such a big injury is really frustrating.
"I've really found a home away from home here in Canberra and I absolutely love the place."
Club doctor Greg Macleod said Hodgson had knee instability in his return to training, causing the new injury.
"After further scans and diagnosis, the decision has been made that it's the club's duty of care to Josh for him to have an ACL reconstruction due to a partial tear in his ACL and associated injuries," he said.
"While the club and Josh were optimistic that the injury could be rehabbed without surgery, it is with much considered thought that surgery is the best option for Josh's long-term health and rugby league career."
Englishman Hodgson has been with Canberra since 2015, having joined from the Super League's Hull KR.
It leaves the Raiders somewhat exposed at No.9, with Tom Starling and weekend debutant Adrian Trevilyan to share the load.
Meanwhile, North Queensland forward Mitch Dunn's season is also over after scans confirmed the 25-year-old tore an ACL in the Cowboys' 26-6 win over the Raiders in Townsville last Saturday.
Australian Associated Press
