But, he reckons Ben Hunt will be spared the same fate and will remain Brisbane’s first-choice halfback despite signing with the Dragons for 2018.

Hodges was a teenaged winger back when he was dropped and without a rep game to his name.

Somewhat easily replaced.

Hodges said there was no way Bennett was going to drop Hunt in the same fashion after signing a $6 million deal with the Red V.

At least not with the 2017 premiership in sight.  

“He’s got to be our first-choice halfback if we have any chance of winning the comp,” Hodges told News Corp.

“If they’re going to have success this year, it’s going to be through him again. He was vital for me in 2015 ... without Benny, we wouldn’t have got to the grand final.

“He had an exceptional year that year and he needs to recapture that form. Last year probably wasn’t his best but he just needs to go into this season confident.

“If he does that, everyone knows what he can do. If he gets back to that form, he will be wonderful for us.”

Hodges backed Hunt to fire in his final stint at Red Hill and implored the No.7 to leave the club as a premiership force just as it was when he arrived in 2009.

“Hopefully this deal will make him play better knowing that this is the last year he will get to wear the Broncos jersey ever again,” he said.

“He has to make sure he leaves the club the way he came into the club.

“That’s the most important thing. No matter where he’s going, he just has to make sure he finishes the season off at a high standard.

“I wish him all the best but hopefully he puts his best foot forward for us first.”