Hodkinson stepped up in the absence of suspended halves partner Josh Reynolds to steer Canterbury to a crucial win over Parramatta.

By his own assessment, Hodkinson's form has been down following the interstate series as the Bulldogs lost four consecutive matches to jeopardise their finals chances.

The former Sea Eagles No.7 turned to Hasler to help him rediscover the spark he displayed before and during the interstate series.

"I went to Des and told him to look over my game and he did that," Hodkinson said.

"He came back to me and said 'we haven't had too much of the footy in the last few weeks, so don't be too tough on yourself'.

"That has been our problem, we've been coughing up too much footy and not completing our sets. I'm pretty hard on myself as an individual and take losses pretty hard.

''A win is definitely going to help and hopefully push [us] in the right direction for the finals."

Hodkinson said he had a new appreciation of how hard it is to stay mentally and physically fresh after the rigours of Origin.

"I've been a bit off post-Origin," he said.

"Obviously you take the losses pretty bad when you're the halfback. You're copping all the criticism that comes with the position and the game.

"I've got to improve on my game week in and week out and hopefully take some form into the finals and help the team as best I can."

Youngster Moses Mbye played his sixth NRL game on Friday night, just days after celebrating his 21st birthday. It was the first time he started at five-eighth, a position he will hold until Reynolds' return in three weeks' time.

"It was good, every kid's dream," he said of playing in his preferred No.6 jersey.

"I enjoyed it and appreciate it, I'm looking forward to a couple more games in the jersey.

"It's good [playing with Hodkinson], he's the Origin halfback and one of the best halves in the game. It makes your job so much easier to play outside. It's really comfortable and I'm learning a lot off him."

Asked about playing with Mbye, Hodkinson said: "He's a great young talent and is still only 21. I thought he handled himself real good tonight, he loves the physicality of the game and has got a good kicking and passing game.

"I thought we went well and with Josh being out for another couple of weeks we're going to have to keep the momentum going."

After struggling to get through their sets during their losing streak, the Bulldogs completed 33 of their 37 opportunities with the ball. They also had to hold out Parramatta, who threatened to steal the result in the dying minutes.

Their next assignment is against Wests Tigers on Thursday night, before finishing off clashes against South Sydney and Gold Coast.