The Green Machine will host Cronulla in the first week of the finals after Hodgson's brilliance from dummy-half engineered the nine-tries-to-two win at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday before 18,634 fans.
However Raiders full-back Jack Wighton faces a nervous wait after being placed on report for a shoulder charge on Joel Edwards.
Canberra led 30-4 at half-time after completely dominating the first half, with Josh Papalii scoring two tries and Joey Leilua throwing the pass of the year - a 'swivel-flick' while running backwards - for a Jordan Rapana four-pointer.