If the decorated career of the 33-year-old Hodges was to end at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, it's only fitting it would do so against his former club and the man he has squared off with more than any other player in his 16-year-career.

The pair have locked horns at NRL level on seven occasions, at State of Origin level on 13 occasions and once in the NRL All Stars exhibition match.

Hodges holds a 12-9 advantage over Jennings, who admits the renowned niggler has often tried to get under his skin.

"He doesn't do it now or as much as he used to," Jennings said.

"It was a lot of push and shove, that's about it. Just trying to get under my skin. There was no real sledging or anything like that. I mean he's known for sledging and all that other stuff but, for me, I never really experienced it. I was just a challenge."

In their first meeting, in 2007, Jennings bagged a double but was upstaged by Hodges who crossed for all four of the Broncos' tries in the 29-28 loss to the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium in round three.

They've remained fierce rivals for the best part of a decade, with Hodges showing his class in game one of this year's Origin series, only for Jennings to hit back with a man-of-the-match performance in game two at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Jennings isn't sure of Hodges' perception of him but insists he has the upmost respect for the Australian international.

"He's up there with what he has done in the game and what he has achieved," Jennings said.

"I have a lot of respect for quality centres and he'd be up there. I wouldn't know if he had that respect for me – if he does it's really good to have that respect from a quality centre like himself.

"I think it's just because we've had a lot of battles against each other. There's never been bad blood, never had a run-in. There's no issue there."

The pair have spent time together playing for the Kangaroos, with Jennings admitting Hodges has offered up some advice to him in the past.

"I roomed with him in 2009 ... I learnt a few things from him. The relationship is all right. There's no hard feelings or anything. We always go out there and give it our all – that's just footy.

"You can put that aside [Origin] when you're in the Aussie team. I was young at the time when I was picked, I think I had only had one year in Origin at the time. All that stuff doesn't affect me. It never has."

The retiring Hodges admitted he was originally hoping to finish his career against the Roosters a week later than Friday night's blockbuster.

"When I saw they were first I thought if we got to a grand final it would be against them," Hodges said on Tuesday.

"I thought it would be fitting if I played a grand final against the two sides that I had won (premierships) with but it's come a week early.

"I have always loved the Roosters. They are a great club. It's only right that I get to play against them in a big semi."

With AAP