Bulldogs boss Raelene Castle has vowed to fast-track plans to retain the NSW No.7 long-term as soon as the club completes its grand final commitments.

Hodkinson is contracted to the Dogs until the end of 2015 but rivals will be able to negotiate with his management from the end of the month.

The former Sea Eagle headlines a long list of star halves available from 2016, including Daly Cherry-Evans, Kieran Foran, Adam Reynolds, Chris Sandow and the Gold Coast pairing of Albert Kelly and Aidan Sezer.

However, Castle has signalled her intentions to get in first and ensure Hodkinson remains at Belmore.

"He is a quality No.7 who has played Origin this year," she said. "As soon as we get the grand final out of the way we'll be looking to start conversations about extending him with his manager."

The news will be a big boost for the Dogs as rivals will undoubtedly swoop in an attempt to pick apart their roster. However, Castle has shown she is a shrewd operator by making several key re-signings since she filled the post 15 months ago.

Hodkinson's rise this year has been remarkable and his stocks could climb higher still should Canterbury win the grand final. The 26-year-old and Bulldogs teammate Josh Reynolds were the halves pairing that delivered NSW its first State of Origin series win in nine years, with the halfback scoring the try that sealed the result.

Hodkinson is also one of the most marketable men in the game. He was announced as the Ken Stephen Medal winner at the recent One Community Awards ceremony for his deeds on and off the field.

The RSPCA ambassador, a key figure in raising awareness of the Million Paws Walk initiative, brightened the lives of sick or disadvantaged kids by writing their names on his kicking tee. The former Sunshine Coast Sea Eagle also formed a special bond with Rebecca Adouni, helping the seven-year-old and her family deal with school bullying.

With Michael Ennis leaving the club, Hodkinson is mooted as a potential replacement co-captain alongside forward Frank Pritchard.

This year's grand final takes on added importance for the goal-kicking halfback given he missed the corresponding game two years ago through injury.

While far from being fully fit - a knee injury could prevent him from taking shots for goal - he has been able to properly soak up what a decider means to the Belmore faithful this time around.

"I saw a little bit of it in 2012, but I was on the sidelines injured so I didn't get to enjoy it," Hodkinson said. "It's obviously a different story playing on Sunday. I've seen a few videos of them on social media going crazy, it's good to see. Our fans are so passionate and make this place what it is."

Hodkinson is the NRL's best game breaker following his feats for the Blues and Bulldogs this year.

He has nailed four of the six field goals he has attempted this year, breaking a deadlock on three occasions to earn his side victory.

While coach Des Hasler played down the prospect of his side using the 2012 grand final loss to Melbourne as motivation, he said the team that handled the clutch moments would be the one that emerged victorious this time around.

"It's how a side handles those moments. Bboth sides will experience moments of adversity, moments of pressure and it comes down to how you handle it," Hasler said.

with Michael Chammas