It was the trade that almost started a revolt, it’s finished with two Hawthorn immortals

IT was the trade that almost started a revolt. It ultimately delivered two Hawthorn immortals; Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell.

Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge in the car park of the MCG with the 2014 AFL premiership Cup. 2014 AFL Grand Final match between Hawthorn Hawks and the Sydney Swans at the MCG Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 27, 2014. AFLGF2014 Picture: Nicole Garmston

IT started as the messy trade that almost brought about a brown and gold revolt, but ended up being the one that secured two of Hawthorn’s “immortals”.

As dual Norm Smith medallist Luke Hodge, and equal runner-up in best afield honours, Sam Mitchell savoured a few private moments at the MCG late on Saturday night, it showed they are the modern face of a football club the envy of the competition.

The pair have won three premierships in seven seasons. Each of them is a premiership skipper; Hodge has now done it twice.

Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell hold up the premiership cup in 2008. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

There are few laurels that have eluded the two veteran Hawks — born 20 months apart, one from the country and one from the suburbs — but the one thing that many forget is the angst that came about in trying to secure them.

In late 2001 Hawthorn came within a few kicks of knocking off Essendon in the preliminary final, with a late kick from Trent Croad missing.

Desperate to add quality midfielders to their list, the Hawks knew they had to take a massive gamble to secure something special, and in doing started offering up Croad — a popular member of the side who was only 21 — in an effort to gain early drafts selection.

Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge with the premiership cup in 2013. Picture: Michael Klein

Club officials could hardly have known they almost started a civil war, with fans up in arms that the Hawks were prepared to offload Croad.

A members’ revolt produced a petition and more than 200 members gathered outside Glenferrie Oval late one evening to protest the decision.

Speaking with loudspeakers, the leaders of the ‘Keep Croad’ group said: “All he needs is a fair go. In another year he might be a world-beater.”

Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge with the premiership cup in 2014.

Another angry member said: `This is a strong message to the Hawthorn Football Club that members want Trent Croad to stay and finish his career at Glenferrie.”

Croad would have two seasons with Fremantle yet would return to finish his career with Hawthorn, with the 2008 premiership medal draped around his neck.

And while the Hawks would eventually apologise to Croad for shopping him around in what then president Ian Dicker said was “un-Hawthorn-like”, the ends justified the means for those desperate to secure the No. 1 pick in the national draft.

The eventual trade would see Croad and emerging defender Luke McPharlin, who wanted to return home to Perth, go to the Dockers for three selections — 1, 20 and 36.

Then Hawks recruiting manager John Turnbull said on the day of the draft that the decision on Croad had been “a considered judgment.”

“It was a situation we planned for; we’ve always planned to trade to get low picks.”

Trent Croad returned to Hawthorn to win the 2008 premiership. Picture: Craig Borrow

The No. 1 pick came down to three players — a kid from Colac and two private-school young guns from Melbourne in Chris Judd and Luke Ball.

The Hawks went for the country kid.

His name was Luke Hodge, and he is one of only three men in the history of the game to be dual Norm Smith Medal winners.

The No. 20 pick went on Dan Elstone, a kid from Bendigo, who became a close mate with Hodge, but who was not able to manage a senior AFL match.

And No. 36 saw the club take ball-winning machine Sam Mitchell, who had inexplicably been overlooked in the previous year’s draft yet had busted a gut in proving himself through the Box Hill Hawks.

Thirteen years on, the protests have long since been silenced; the megaphones muffled; and the petitions not worth the paper that they were written on.

Hodge and Mitchell — great leaders and great footballers. It was the trade that helped relaunch a footy power, and it’s one that keeps on giving.

FAIR TRADE

What the Hawks gave up in October 2001

■ Trent Croad (subsequently rejoined Hawthorn and played in 2008 premiership)

■ Luke McPharlin

What the Hawks picked up a month later

■ Pick 1: LUKE HODGE

■ Pick 20: Daniel Elstone

■ Pick 36: SAM MITCHELL

Originally published as It was the trade that almost started a revolt, it’s finished with two Hawthorn immortals