Best-and-fairest: Hawks farewell Hawthorn champion Hodge

HAWKS skipper Jarryd Roughead and his pregnant wife, Sarah, stepped out to farewell Hawthorn champion Luke Hodge.

Jarryd and Sarah Roughead arrive at the Hawthorn Best and Fairest at Crown. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

HAWKS skipper Jarryd Roughead and his pregnant wife, Sarah, stepped out to farewell Hawthorn champion Luke Hodge.

Hodge made his last appearance as a player at the club’s best-and-fairest as a trade to Brisbane looms.

The four-time premiership player and former captain was the centre of attention at Crown Palladium after backflipping on plans to retire at season’s end.

Hodge announced his retirement in July but officially requested a trade to the Lions on Thursday to continue a 305-game career.

The 33-year-old finished third in the best-and-fairest count, behind midfielder Tom Mitchell and ruckman Ben McEvoy.

Former teammate Brian Lake said no one could begrudge Hodge for deciding to continue his career.

“It’s probably just a thing that ... because there’s so much speculation about it so to get out early and talk about it, it takes that equation out of the way,” Lake said last night.

Earlier, footy’s stylish wives and girlfriends stole the spotlight on the red carpet on Saturday night.

Hawthorn players arrived for the best and fairest count at Crown Palladium accompanied by their glamorous partners.

The red carpet style kicked off the biggest night on the Hawks’ calendar before Hawthorn crowned its best and fairest player of the 2017 season.

Hawthorn President Richard Garvey addresses the Hawthorn Best and Fairest at Crown. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Jaeger O'Meara and Rhiannon Joyce arrive at the Hawthorn Best and Fairest at Crown. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Ryan Schoenmakers and Alisha Rutherford and arrive at the Hawthorn Best and Fairest at Crown. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Grant Birchall, Luke Hodge and Jack Gunston arrive at the Hawthorn Best and Fairest at Crown. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Shaun and Amy Burgoyne arrive at the Hawthorn Best and Fairest at Crown. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Chris and Lauren Newman arrive at the Hawthorn Best and Fairest at Crown. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Ryan Burton and partner Brie Abernethy with Billy Hartung and partner Bel Telley. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Ben and Nicole McEvoy arrive at the Hawthorn Best and Fairest at Crown. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Ben Stratton and partner arrive at the Hawthorn Best and Fairest at Crown. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Brie Abernethy and Bel Telley arrive at the Hawthorn Best and Fairest at Crown. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Jonathan O'Rourke and partner Kate Morrice arrive at the Hawthorn Best and Fairest at Crown. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Ricky and Jenny Henderson on the red carpet at the Hawthorn Best and Fairest at Crown. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Marco Bello and partner arrive at the Hawthorn Best and Fairest at Crown. Picture: Andrew Henshaw