Bob Murphy, Luke Hodge embrace in teary AFL farewell

AFL stars Bob Murphy and Luke Hodge had fans grabbing at tissues as they met together during a teary farewell.

Respect.

RETIRING legends Bob Murphy and Luke Hodge turned heads at Etihad Stadium as they prepared to begin their last game in the AFL.

The two stars embraced before the first bounce in a classy gesture of respect as fans prepared to see off a number of big names, including Bulldogs star Matthew Boyd and injured Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson.

It wasn’t the fairytale farewell for Murphy, who endured a nine-point loss and had his final kick go out on the full.

Murphy’s retirement marks departure of the last player in the league to be drafted in the 1990s and the last of 312 games in an illustrious career as a one-club man.

Fans were grabbing at tissues as the veterans left the field for the final time on the shoulders of their teammates.

I’m not crying. You’re crying.

FT | The retirees leave an @AFL field for the final time as players and @LHodge15 belts out the song one last time. #AFLHawksDogs pic.twitter.com/AvyJW9KwqF

— AFL on 7 (@7AFL) August 25, 2017

Murphy and Co. continued the waterworks after being snapped in the middle of a cute exchange with a fan on the sidelines.

The Dogs skipper embraced his daughter in the crowd as a Hawks fan jumped in to pat him on the back.

I love footy. Hawks fan patting Bob Murphy on the back as he embraces young girl @rharris334 @31Hwy @TimWattsMP #afl pic.twitter.com/4wByRWMIt9

— Darren Chester MP (@DarrenChesterMP) August 25, 2017

Touching tribute to three genuine champions of the game. That's what is great about this game! #AFLHawksDogs

— Alex Oates (@AlexJOates11) August 25, 2017

The Dogs needed to beat the Hawks and have three other results go their way but they couldn’t complete their part of the equation in front of 48,090 fans on an emotional night at Etihad Stadium.

Hodge was warmly applauded by the Hawks home crowd every time he touched the ball.

In his 305th and final AFL game, the four-time premiership star played his customary role across half-back and finished with 14 possessions. Murphy started up forward and was lively early before finishing with 15 disposals and a goal, while Boyd was outstanding with an equal game high 33 touches.

Both teams formed a guard of honour at the end of the game with the retiring stars saluting the crowd for one last time.

The Dogs trailed at every change and looked to be out of the contest when the Hawks opened a game-high 24-point lead late in the third term. But Luke Beveridge’s men mustered one last push and had the better of the final term without making the most of their scoring opportunities. Hawthorn skipper Jarryd Roughead was the dominant forward on the ground, finishing with five goals, with Isaac Smith and Paul Puopolo booting three each. Tom Mitchell (32 possessions) and Jaeger O’Meara (25 disposals and 11 tackles) were key factors around the ball for Alastair Clarkson’s side.

— with AAP