After leading Wests Tigers and Huddersfield with distinction over the last five years, Brett Hodgson is looking forward to reverting to the role of foot soldier.

The vastly-experienced former NSW State of Origin fullback was a natural choice to skipper the Giants and he justified the selection in his first year in England by leading them to Wembley and the Super League play-offs.

Hodgson lifted the 2009 Man of Steel award but that was not enough to earn him more than a new 12-month deal with Huddersfield.

Warrington coach Tony Smith nipped in to secure his services for the next two years, where he will play under veteran captain Adrian Morley.

Hodgson, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday on the opening day of the season, is excited about the move and happy to relinquish the responsibilities of leadership.

"I was very fortunate to be captain for the last five years of my career but Moz is a legend of the game here and in Australia and I'm very, very honoured to play under him," he said.

"I feel very fresh and thankfully they let me have a pre-season back in Australia, which helped me. I feel great."

Hodgson, whose young family are settled in the north of England, is still a year younger than Morley and hints that he may stay on in Super League at the end of his two-year deal.

"I'll keep my options open," he said. "The finality of retiring is just too much to even consider at the moment.

"I might feel differently in six months or 18 months' time, I don't know, but at this stage I feel great."

Hodgson admits he retains a soft spot for his old club but is excited at the prospect of working under Smith, who has already guided the Wolves to back-to-back Challenge Cup final triumphs.

"At the time I was a little bit disappointed but things happen for a reason and you move on," he said.

"I genuinely want them to do well this year, although hopefully not as well as we do.

"I have some great friends there, I'm really good mates with (coach) Nathan Brown as well and I want him to continue to have success in the game.

"I saw Warrington prior to Tony arriving as a side that had enormous potential but just lacked discipline to see it through.

"It didn't take long for everyone to see he could get the best out of this squad.

"The potential of the club is enormous, whether that be taking out championships has yet to be determined but, given the hard work that everyone is putting in, I think we'll be there or thereabouts."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP