Andrew Hamilton examines what the Lions can realistically expect from Luke Hodge

BRISBANE should proceed with their recruitment of Luke Hodge but the expectations should be clear to both parties as well as the potential pitfalls, writes Andrew Hamilton.

Would Luke Hodge be a good fit at the Brisbane Lions? Picture: AAP Images

BRISBANE should proceed with their recruitment of Luke Hodge but the expectations should be clear to both parties as well as the potential pitfalls.

The deal involves the 33-year-old signing a playing contract for at least one season, potentially two, and then making a move into the coach’s box.

Lions legend Alastair Lynch says he can hear no alarm bells that would make him think the deal is a risk for either the club or the player.

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As a club, Brisbane can only benefit from adding someone of Hodge’s standing, however they must assess Hodge’s physical capabilities and the poor track records of players who moved to the harder Queensland grounds late in their careers.

They should also be careful they don’t risk losing a gun youngster such as Cedric Cox, Jacob Allison or Alex Witherden, who may find the opportunities they received this year suddenly dry up.

Luke Hodge looks set to join the Lions. Picture: Mark Stewart

Lions CEO Greg Swann says the news of Hodge’s possible recruitment has been met with overwhelming excitement among the playing group.

“There’s a real buzz, the boys are all contacting me asking if it’s true,’’ he said.

Swann said he was fairly confident the deal could be done next week.

Hodge does not have to consider his legacy. That is assured no matter what happens to his form next year.

However, a player accustomed to success must brace himself for a sudden absence of it. Ex-Suns skipper Gary Ablett battled that for every one of his seven seasons at the club.

If the pure passion to play is the main motivator, and it seems to outweigh his desire to begin a coaching career, he should take a peek at history.

Rarely has a player moved to Queensland in the twilight of their career and coped well with the hard grounds and extra travel.

Swans premiership player Nick Malceski and former Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow, who both joined the Suns, are the two most recent examples of players who battled injury on their arrival – although it must be noted Barlow broke his leg.

However, Lynch says the weather is also a bonus for ageing players.

“The hard grounds are a factor there is no denying that, but he would barely be training during the season, just recovering, and there are definite benefits to doing that in temperatures nudging 20C all winter,’’ he said.

Swann said the Lions hoped Hodge still had “some good football left” but stressed the opportunity to recruit an on-field coach had been the major attraction.

Luke Hodge says farewell in his final game for the Hawks. Picture: Getty Images

The four-time premiership Hawk would not be expected to travel every week and a yearly target of about 15 games would be acceptable to the Lions.

He said Hodge had explored the physical risks on the harder grounds in Queensland with trusted medical people and believed he would be able to cope.

Lynch says the on-field coaching is the major asset.

“It is a young list lacking experience. Adding what is basically a playing coach to the side can only help,’’ he said.

The one issue that has raised some debate, but should be a non-factor, is what Hodge is worth financially and whether that has an impact on the Lions’ salary cap.

“They are 18th on the ladder, they should have the room in the salary cap,’’ Lynch said.

Originally published as Andrew Hamilton examines what the Lions can realistically expect from Luke Hodge