Hawthorn champion Luke Hodge to retire at end of 2017 AFL season
LUKE Hodge has announced his retirement, saying it’s in the best interests of Hawthorn if he stepped aside to let the new wave flourish. Poll: Where does he rate? HODGE’S CAREER IN PICTURES
Hawthorn
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hawthorn. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HAWTHORN champion Luke Hodge says he would never want to stand in the way of the development of the younger teammates.
An emotional Hodge, 33, confirmed that he will “hang up the boots” at the end of the season.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE SOME OF THE BEST PHOTOS THROUGHOUT LUKE HODGE’S DECORATED CAREER
The four-time premiership said he entered the season knowing it would be his last.
“I’m still loving football, still really enjoy it,” Hodge said.
THE TACKLE: ROBBO’S LIKES AND DISLIKES
“My body still feels good but what I’ve realised over the last month is the development of our younger guys.
“They’ve really taken steps and personally ... if I play on next year (knowing) that I’ll be taking a spot of a younger guy and as a senior bloke I would never want to do that, especially with the class the younger guys have shown.”
Injuries to key defenders this season, including Ben Stratton, James Frawley and Grant Birchall, has allowed the Hawks to blood young guns Ryan Burton, Blake Hardwick and Kaiden Brand.
Daniel Howe, Tim O’Brien, Kurt Heatherley and speedster Billy Hartung have also benefited from greater exposure as the Hawks resurrected an 0-5 start to now be an outside chance of finals.
“We knew we had a lot of younger guys that were ready to stand up,” Hodge said.
“I think the last month has really, really locked it in ... especially down back.
“If we’re talking about the future of the footy club, and how we can best leave it when we’re out of here, it’s by giving those guys the responsibility that they’ve really enjoyed.”
Hodge, who is set to play his 300th game on Saturday at the MCG against arch rival Geelong, said talk about his retirement started last year.
The fearless leader wants to be remembered as someone who would do anything for the team.
“Footy is a rollercoaster ride but I tell you what, we’ve had some really good times here and we’re probably lucky enough that every 10 years there will be four opportunities we’ll be able to come back as a group and celebrate what we’ve achieved as a footy club.”
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson paid tribute to Hodge.
“In the press release we mentioned about once in a generation type of player and Hodgey is certainly that,” Clarkson said.
“I don’t think there was a position that he didn’t play in his 16-year career, he even liked to fancy himself as a ruck there for a fair period of time when the rules allowed that.
“That would suggest that he’s got a fair amount of talent ... (but) the most significant thing that he’s contributed to our footy club, and it’s success, has been the sacrificial manner in which he’s gone about
it.
“He’s always put his teammates and his footy club ahead of himself and that’s rare in a game where there’s so much adulation placed upon players that have success in this game.
“He’s been able to demonstrate that better than any other player I’ve ever come across in any form of footy.”
A proven media performer and ready-made coach, Hodge will decide what the future holds after consultation with his wife, Lauren, and their sons, Cooper, Chase and Leo.
HODGEY — A PHENOMENAL HAWK
Age: 33
Drafted: Pick no.1, 2001
Games: 299*
Goals: 192*
Premierships: 2008, 2013-15
Norm Smith Medal: 2008, 2014
All-Australian: 2005, 2008 and 2010
Peter Crimmins Medal: 2005, 2010
Hawthorn captain: 2011-16
Hawthorn takes over footy’s No.1 list
Three clubs have emerged from the 2024 season with the biggest stars in the AFL with a list of the top 50 players showing huge changes.
Trading places? How the biggest AFL deals will get done
Almost every AFL club is poised to get busy this trade period. See who your club is looking at, who they should be chasing and how they will get their deals done in our ultimate guide.