"It [leaving] was through lack of opportunity in Australia. There was absolutely nothing here," confirmed Hodgson. "It's a concern [for the game], there's no doubt. But raising the salary cap may not be the solution, either, because only the top two or three players will get that money anyway. I think there does need to be concessions in terms of longevity. If you've been in the game seven, eight, nine or 10 years I think there needs to be some sort of allowance.

"But I am excited about the move now because I feel I've got plenty left to offer - any side. I've committed to Huddersfield and I feel I can go and do a really good job for them. I've signed up for two years but I've already told them I don't feel they will be my last two years in rugby league footy."

At Huddersfield, Hodgson will reunite with former teammates Shane Elford, Jamahl Lolesi, John Skandalis and Paul Whatuira, while Simmons is in the final three applicants to coach the side next year.

But, with the Tigers sitting 10th, boasting only one win from their past five starts - and facing the Storm - both Hodgson and Simmons have more pressing problems than the prospect of a mild dose of hypothermia some time next January.

The Tigers will be without key prop Todd Payten, whose hamstring injury is not responding to treatment, and Mathew Head, who has thumb and shoulder problems. Keith Galloway is back from an ankle injury to toughen the front row.

Despite a recent run of success against Melbourne, the Tigers were happy to give them the highest accolade yesterday.

"The Australian side couldn't go and play Melbourne and be guaranteed of winning. We could go down there, play the best football we play all year and still not win," argued Simmons, one of several Tigers anxious to not say the game was make-or-break for the club.

"But the main thing is that we come out of it saying 'Hey, we played good', and we get some confidence out of it."

Simmons said there was no more searching examination of how your side was travelling than the Storm.

"They're the one you get your mark off, there's no doubt about it. They throw a lot at you in attack and they're very good defensively," he noted.

But Hodgson reckons they're soft. Well, not soft exactly. "They've got some weaknesses, as have all sides in the competition, so we need to exploit that as much as possible," he said.

Asked to elaborate, the custodian just chuckled. You don't last 219 games in the NRL if you walk into trouble like that. "I'm not going to tell them what we're going to do."

Nor will anyone at the Tigers give too much away about their plans to replace Hodgson next season. Benji Marshall's name remains in the air, although Hodgson plumped for Beau Ryan, Shannon McDonnell or Blake Lazarus - and why wouldn't he? Not only has Lazarus got potential, he's from Hodgson's former club, Eagle Vale St Andrews, and is certain to feel right at home if he gets his chance at Campbelltown Oval. WHERE ARE THEY? Where the 2005 grand final-winning Wests Tigers have ended up:

Brett Hodgson

Daniel Fitzhenry Hull KR

Shane Elford Huddersfield

Paul Whatuira Huddersfield

Pat Richards Wigan

Benji Marshall Still at Tigers

Scott Prince (c) Gold Coast

Anthony Laffranchi Gold Coast

Robbie Farah Still at Tigers

John Skandalis Huddersfield

Ben Galea Hull KR

Mark O'Neill Retired

Dene Halatau Still at Tigers

Interchange Still at Tigers

Liam Fulton

Chris Heighington Still at Tigers

Bryce Gibbs Still at Tigers

Todd Payten Still at Tigers

Huddersfield