It's helped him overcome he and wife Kirby's two-year ordeal to fall pregnant, a battle now won after baby George entered the world last Thursday.

The couple began IVF in August and the challenges they've overcome makes it even more special for the Englishman.

It's been a big year for Hodgson, who married Kirby the day after Canberra's round ten loss to St George Illawarra.

And in a sign he shares his father's sense of timing on the field, George arrived a day before Friday's 30-18 home win over Manly.

To cap his dream run Hodgson cradled his arms like he was holding a baby to TV cameras after his four-pointer, and secured one Dally M vote to reclaim the outright lead.

The 26-year-old still had a grin from ear to ear after the match.

"It does [make the birth more special] mate, it's always good to come through tough times and there's going to be a lot more tough times now the little fella's here," Hodgson said.

"It's going to be a tough few weeks, but it's all worth it in the end.

"I didn't get too much sleep last night [match day eve] and I was pretty tired this morning, I'm still on top of the world and it caps off a great week with a good result tonight."

Hodgson's news continues a recent baby boom at the Raiders, with winger Edrick Lee also becoming a first-time father and Sia Soliola missing the round 11 game gainst the Warriors in Auckland to be present for the birth of his second child.

Jack Wighton, Josh Papalii, Junior Paulo and Blake Austin also have young children, but Hodgson is trying to keep focus on Canberra's finals charge.

The Raiders have leapt to fifth with three straight wins, despite continuing to trade brilliance with lethargy during games.

They will replace the Broncos in the top four if they condemn Brisbane to a fourth straight defeat at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

Canberra led 30-6 against Manly and looked set to put up a cricket score before they allowed the visitors back into the game.

"It's got nothing to do with the short turnaround before the game, it comes down to not being disciplined enough, getting too carried away and not being ruthless enough," Hodgson said.

"It's something we talk about a lot, and have been working on.

"We were disappointed with the last 20 minutes and probably the first ten minutes, we were off the boil and it wasn't a great start for myself kicking out on the full."

And Hodgson had some bad news for New South Wales fans - if George follows him into football he'll be playing for the Lions.

"He'll be English mate, don't worry," he laughed.

Canberra seemed to find a better balance between playing off Hodgson through the ruck and shifting through halves Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin against Manly.

"I think that's starting to improve," Sezer said.

"Obviously playing more games together is only going to help ourselves in what we do.

"We're still working toward putting together an 80-minute performance, but it's going well."

THURSDAY

NRL round 14: Brisbane Broncos v Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium, 7.50pm

TV: Live on WIN and Fox Sports 1