Comment: Trent Hodkinson signs with Newcastle Knights

After weeks of immense speculation surrounding his playing future, Trent Hodkinson has agreed to a three-year deal with the Newcastle Knights.

The signing comes as a major coup for the struggling club following a disappointing season which has seen them slip from competition leaders to cellar dwellers.

Amid all the hype surrounding Hodkinson joining from Canterbury, I implore the Knights hierarchy to ensure Tyrone Roberts is retained by the club.

Having come through the Newcastle lower grades, Roberts has proven that at his best he is capable of moments of brilliance as shown by his outstanding displays during the 2013 finals.

While critics have noted that in defence he can be targeted by oppositions, in attack he has proven to be a major benefit, capable of producing match-winning plays as well as being an accomplished goal kicker.

His performance against the Roosters last season single handedly led the way for one of the most memorable victories in the history of the Knights, while he has also proven himself capable of providing impact off the bench if required.

With Kurt Gidley departing at the end of 2015, it was imperative that the Knights signed a player capable of winning games and in Hodkinson they have delivered. I have little doubt that the combination he will form alongside Jarrod Mullen will improve Newcastle dramatically to a degree not seen since Andrew Johns' retirement almost a decade ago.

However as a Knights member, I would be disappointed to see yet another talented player developed through the Newcastle system forced out of the club.

When Roberts debuted in 2011, he was one of six playmakers used by coach Rick Stone that year.

Of that six I rated Roberts the least impressive and failed to see how he would factor into the plans of incoming coach Wayne Bennett.

Over the course of Bennett's turbulent three years at Newcastle, Tyrone Roberts was the biggest success story to emerge.

Thrown in due to injury, Roberts took time to develop but rewarded Knights supporters by directing the side to their first Preliminary Final since 2001.

While results haven't gone the Knights way this season, the blame can hardly be attributed solely to the halfback.

As a whole Newcastle haven't lived up to their potential; the grittiness they started 2015 with has all but disappeared, however moving forward Roberts has to be a part of the squad.

Hodkinson may provide the direction and leadership the Knights will lose with Kurt Gidley moving on, but the club should ensure one of their best success stories remains in Newcastle as well.