Robert Murphy, Matthew Boyd, Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson say their goodbyes to football
WE may have seen the last of Bob Murphy, Matthew Boyd, Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson on the football field but it was a fitting send off for the four superstars. SEE THE PHOTOS.
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FOR a man who had his own ball for much of his career, it was fitting that the Sherrin finally had his name on it.
“Luke Hodge 15 // The General” was Friday night plastered across the pill as a tribute for a man who farewelled the game he conquered.
Hawthorn’s revered warhorse played his 305th and last game against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
He would wave goodbye to the only career he’s ever known beside heart-and-soul Dogs pair Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd, while the injured Josh Gibson took part in a half time lap of honour.
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Between them they’ve hauled in eight premierships, two Norm Smith Medals, eight All-Australian’s and seven best and fairests.
It begs the question, has a better quartet farewelled the game on the same night in the same match?
Yet if we’re being honest, it wasn’t exactly a game befitting of the occasion.
For four men who got this far on blood, sweat and tears, it was a marshmallow finale.
This was a strange game of low intensity, low pressure and a swag of kicking clangers that would make any blooper reel.
But regardless, it was all about Hodge, Murphy, Boyd and Gibson and the fact 48,000 showed up for a virtual dead rubber was proof of the respect they command.
Respect is something that’s followed Murphy for much of his career. He hasn’t needed his last name, or even his first name, in twilight years that has seen his popularity soar.
And as “Bob” arrived for Friday night’s pre-match toss of the coin, counterpart Jarryd Roughead didn’t offer his hand; he offered an embrace.
A classy ending. #AFLHawksDogs pic.twitter.com/Nx7IHJm8CH
— AFL (@AFL) August 25, 2017
Murphy started forward and was picked up by Hodge. Murphy and Boyd both kicked goals and 18-man group hugs followed.
Hodge’s goal never came, but that did nothing to dull him being celebrated. His desperate spoil on Luke Dahlhaus at the death was met with raucous acclaim as a chant of “Hodgey, Hodgey” rung out and several fans going with a ‘We’re not Worthy’ bow.
“Gee, you feel old when you run around with some of these young guys. I’ve had a ball,” Hodge said, interviewed by Chris Judd and Luke Ball — the top three of the 2001 super draft.
“I’ve got a few bets with ‘Sewelly’ (Brad Sewell) and ‘Monkey’ (Damian Monkhorst) so I’ll try not to blow out. We signed up for (a marathon) but whether we get through it, we’ll see what happens.”
Hodge, Murphy and Boyd were chaired off through a two-team guard of honour.
“It’s emotional. Tinges of sadness, but overwhelming gratitude,” Murphy said.
“It’s an honour to play this game at this level. It’s been a childhood dream for both of us (he and Boyd); little kids throwing the footy up in the air and hoping to play. It doesn’t get much better.”
Hodge was as reliable as ever, Murphy was influential with a stack of score involvements and Boyd had the equal-most touches on the ground.
All three were good right until the end. Just like it should be.
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