You don't understand how much they're missed until they're gone.
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Which was why Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was so excited to have Canberra Raiders co-captain Josh Hodgson back.
He said Hodgson's leadership would be especially important with co-captain Jarrod Croker in doubt for round one, hinting he might miss Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium next Sunday.
Croker saw the specialist on Monday to get a verdict.
Nicoll-Klokstad was one of 36 Raiders players to visit 20 schools across Canberra on Monday to help deliver the NRL's League Stars Inspire program.
He was excited to be back out in the community - his smile was bigger than a lot of the kids - and had missed being allowed to visit schools due to last year's coronavirus-induced NRL bubble.
Similarly, he was excited to have Hodgson back from his second knee reconstruction.
Hodgson returned in the Raiders' trial against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday and slotted back seamlessly - laying off two tries.
He also brings back his leadership - something Nicoll-Klokstad would be especially important if Croker's absent.
"I loved it. Sort of like going out to schools, you don't understand how much it's missed until they're gone," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
"That's the same thing with Hodgey - just the leadership, his direction, everything that he brings to our team.
"It's even more important now that Jarrod Croker's not there as well."
MORE RAIDERS NEWS
Nicoll-Klokstad was unsure who would come in for Croker, with both Sebastian Kris and Harley Smith-Shields playing at left centre on the weekend.
He said with two weeks' training before the Tigers clash, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart might not even know yet.
"That spot's still up for grabs," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
"Both boys had really good trials and it's about getting a really good two weeks in before the season starts, and anything can happen.
"I'm sure 'Stick' doesn't even know who he's going with at the moment."
Nicoll-Klokstad said there was pressure all across the park for spots for round one - even at fullback.
He felt there hadn't been a lot of depth there late last year, but recruitment and the return from injury had solved that.
Both Bailey Simonsson and Adam Cook played fullback during the trials on Saturday, while the Raiders have recruited Caleb Aekins from Penrith.
"Everyone's putting a bit of pressure on everyone. We've got new boys that can play fullback, which is really good for our squad," said.
"It was something I thought personally we didn't have a lot of depth at fullback, especially leading into the back-end of the season.
"There's Caleb, Cooky there, Bailey as well, Jordan if he has to. We've got a lot of depth and the competitiveness is good for the squad."
NRL ROUND ONE
March 14: Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm.
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