Luke Hodge says Hawthorn has learnt from 2008 premiership hangover

HAWTHORN captain Luke Hodge says the premiership hangover of 2009 still relentlessly drives the trophy-hunting Hawks.

Hawks still driven by ‘08 flag hangover

HAWTHORN captain Luke Hodge says the premiership hangover of 2009 still relentlessly drives the trophy-hunting Hawks.

The AFL premiers are on the Sunshine Coast for a 10-day training camp before they try to win a historic fourth consecutive flag next year.

Hawthorn missed the finals in 2009 after stunning Geelong in the 2008 decider and overindulging in the spoils of victory.

“You can’t win the premiership in October but you can certainly lose it,’’ Hodge said.

“We found that out the hard way a few years ago and we have never forgotten it.

“Back in ’08, we didn’t come back with the right attitude and we had a disappointing year.

“Since then the guys have always reported back for pre-season in good order knowing they have to reach certain targets with their skin folds and time trial ahead of a long and hard summer.’’

Hodge said the best example of the desire in the Hawthorn camp was Billy Hartung, who played 20 senior games last year only to be the heartache story of Grand Final week when he was omitted from the Hawks’ best 22.

After missing out on last season’s Grand Final, Billy Hartung’s attitude at training will ensure there’s no complacency among his teammates. Picture: Getty Images

Hawthorn’s senior players such as Hodge, Cyril Rioli, Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell and Shaun Burgoyne were influential in the Grand Final victory over West Coast but the host of young guns coming through the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL gives the club good depth and genuine competition for senior spots.

“Billy had his disappointment last year but he came back and won our time-trial and has continued to be fantastic this pre-season,’’ he said.

“He represents that real hunger of the younger guys on our list. They want to have success and they keep pushing the more experienced players on our list which keeps our standards high.

“There is no complacency here because we will start the season on the same number of points as 17 other clubs. We are no different to any other side in that we want to improve in 2016.’’

The four-time premiership player, triple premiership captain and dual Norm Smith Medal winner will serve as skipper again next year after winning a vote during the training camp.