He made his first-grade début under coach Tommy Raudonikis in round 11 of the 1997 ARL season, when Wests met the South Queensland Crushers at Campbelltown Stadium.

Securing a spot at fullback in 1999, the Magpies’ last season before merging with Balmain to become the Wests Tigers in 2000, he played a further 19 games.

"[7] In 2008, Hodgson was the last remaining former Western Suburbs Magpies' footballer playing in the NRL,[8] before the return of John Skandalis in 2009, and Ray Cashmere in 2012.

[9][10] Hodgson's season was cut short following a high tackle from Cronulla's Mitch Healey, breaking his jaw.

[12] Described as a "lethal, attacking full-back", Hodgson played as a fullback and scored two tries in the Parramatta Eels's loss to the Newcastle Knights in the 2001 NRL grand final.

[9] During his time at the Eels, Hodgson was the recipient of Gorden Tallis' famous slingshot tackle, whilst was representing NSW in the 2002 State of Origin series.

In 2003, Hodgson's final year at the Parramatta Eels was cut short in round 16 with a rib injury.

Taking over goal-kicking duties, a position he had sometimes filled in previous seasons, he scored 194 points for the year.

He went on to play and kick five goals in the Tigers' 2005 NRL Grand Final victory over the North Queensland Cowboys.

As NRL Premiers Wests faced Super League champions Bradford Bulls in the 2006 World Club Challenge.

On 23 July 2006, midway through the first half of the clash between Wests Tigers and his former club, Parramatta Eels, Hodgson sustained medial and cruciate ligament injuries and was sidelined for the remainder of the season.

[1] In April 2010 it was announced that Hodgson has signed for Super League rivals Warrington Wolves from 2011 on a two-year contract.

Hodgson was selected for the Exiles squad for the inaugural Rugby League International Origin Match against England.

Due to an injury early in the 2012 season, and a rotation policy, he shared fullback duties with Stefan Ratchford, being used mainly for the more important games.

Hodgson was instrumental as he led Warrington Wolves to the 2012 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium.

He featured as a fullback for Game 2 and took over captaincy from stand in captain Thomas Leuluai, Hodgson lead his team to a 32-20 win to retain the trophy and scored 2 tries and kicked 4 goals in the process.

However, the club ended the season winning only one game (against Hull Kingston Rovers) from the last nine fixtures to finish 8th on the table.