Luke Hodge says he’s ‘rapt’ to be leading Hawthorn again in 2016

LUKE Hodge will lead Hawthorn’s push for a historic fourth straight premiership after being voted in as the “logical choice” as captain for 2016.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 03: Luke Hodge of the Hawks runs during a Hawthorn Hawks AFL pre-season training session at Waverley Park on December 3, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

LUKE Hodge will lead Hawthorn’s push for a historic fourth straight premiership after being voted in as the “logical choice” as captain for 2016.

Hodge, 31, ended speculation he would lose the captaincy when he declared his desire to be in charge of the premiers for a sixth straight season.

A vote was held on Tuesday on the team’s pre-season training camp in Mooloolaba that canvassed both players and coaches.

Given Hodge’s success as captain, which has included three premierships and a Norm Smith medal performance in the 2014 Grand Final, Hawks football manager Chris Fagan said the decision was a relative no-brainer.

“It was never Hawthorn speculating (that he wouldn’t be captain) — it was everybody else,” he said.

“When you think about it logically, you’ve got a guy who wants to continue on as captain and a group that wants him to be the captain. So why wouldn’t you?

“We don’t have to make somebody a captain before they’re ready just to satisfy everybody. They come in when the time’s right.

“Stability has never been a bad thing in any sporting organisation. We’re happy to keep that.”

Hodge said he was “honoured” to be named captain again, but admitted he wouldn’t be assuming the role if it wasn’t best for the club.

“It’s something that I’ve always had a passion for. I’ve loved doing it over the last five years and I’m rapt to be doing it again,” he said.

“I’ve always said it’s whatever’s best for the football club, and I still stand by that.

“I’m honoured and rapt to be captain again in 2016.”

The only change to the reigning premier’s leadership group came in Isaac Smith’s addition.

Fagan said it is a credit to the 26-year-old and is a sign of the next wave of Hawks making their push.

“We need the next generation to come through and it’s good that Isaac has been able to step up,” he said.

“He has come a long way in a short time and he has really grown and matured over the last couple of years in terms of his leadership.

“Over the last couple of years he’s demonstrated an ability that not only is he worried about his own performance, but he’s put considerable time and effort into making the team better. His teammates recognised that and rewarded it.”