Wow, where to start? Firstly, credit to the victors. Just seven days earlier, I made it fairly clear I thought the Swans would not only win the AFL premiership, but do it with reasonable ease.
In wrapping up the last match of the 2014 season, there are so many different angles and such a variety of topics we could investigate.
How the Hawks, an outfit which looked dead on their legs a week earlier against Port Adelaide, not only performed like they were as fresh as Round 1, but made their opponents look like the weary ones.
How the Swans, so good in their opening two finals – not to mention most rounds of the regular season – could look so bad on the day it mattered most.
How, despite many people wanting to sink the slipper in, Lance Franklin was anything but a disappointment on the day. The number of Swans who went missing? A few who seemed overawed, and plenty who were simply outplayed.
We could talk about Jarryd Roughhead’s five-goal haul, Will Langford capping an incredible season with a brilliant performance, or Jordan Lewis – who was in some doubt after being subbed off with an injury a week earlier – with a dominant 37 possession effort.
But for me, there was one story in particular out of the grand final, and it was well before the votes were counting in the North Smith Medal. Luke Hodge. What a player, what a captain, what an inspiration and influence on those around him.
It wasn’t just the 35 disposals, it wasn’t the two goals, it wasn’t the dozen marks, it wasn’t doing it all at both ends of the ground, it wasn’t even being at the right place at the right times. It was so much more.
Hodge oozes calmness and confidence and that rubs off on each of his 17 teammates during a match. It’s one thing to be a champion player, another to be a leader through your deeds on the field. And then there is Hodge, who is both, but so much more simply due to the person he is.
You can’t quantify what the deeds and leadership of one player does for the rest of his teammates, but it’s clear it has an incredible impact on the rest of the Hawthorn players.
The respect the others hold Hodge in, is clearly evident.
It’s a long time ago now that people questioned whether the Hawks took the right player in the 2001 AFL Draft, the draft dubbed the Super Draft because of the depth of quality.
Some of the players who were drafted that year were: Jimmy Bartel, Ashley Sampi, Nick Dal Santo, James Kelly, Steve Johnson, Jason Gram, Sam Mitchell, Brian Lake, Leigh Montagna and Dane Swan – not to mention a father-son selection called Gary Ablett Jnr.
Hawthorn had pick number one, and admit they were torn between three – Chris Judd, Luke Ball and Hodge.
Hodge had been plagued with osteitis pubis in his draft year and missed more than three months, but the Hawks eventually chose him at one, but for some time that decision was questioned as Judd became a superstar and Ball reached lofty heights at St Kilda.
After a number of interrupted pre-seasons due to injuries, he got his first full pre-season in 2005, and would go on to win the club’s best and fairest and be named All Australian.
Since then… wow, again. Three premierships now, two as skipper, two North Smith medals and his place in Hawthorn folklore. But, after 250 senior games, he can also be placed among the true greats of the game.
Declan McAllister
Guest
so think that their should be afl teams all over the world because i have friends from all over the world.
Go for it
Guest
I find it hard to split Hodge and Selwwod both champioms of our game The TV ratings for the GF were very good and should help the AFL get abigger deal next time ."The AFL said the TV audience "achieved for the showpiece game of the season was 3.72 million people, with total reach across Australia estimated to be 6.244 million viewers – up on the 2013 grand final ratings". Imagine to figure if the AFL ever bite the bullet and play the game in prime time as against the dead zone of Saturday afternoons.
Penster
Guest
Mostly the "butts" happened off the field.
Jrod
Guest
Great article. Hodge is the best captain in the afl and that's hard to argue with.
Declan McAllister
Guest
he is a good player and he should be on our team.next season.
Ryan Ranger
Guest
While he's at it, why not go for 500 or 600 games? ;)
Me Too
Guest
Great player and great leader, and comparisons with Voss are certainly fair. Why the Hawks are such a well led team though is in their advantage of having two great leaders - Mitchell was as legitimate a contender for the Norm Smith, with almost an equal amount of possessions, but far more contested ball. He shone in the first quarter when the game was there to win. As for the draft - neither West Coast or the Hawks would change their picks. The Saints unfortunately would likely have a flag or two if they had taken Judd over Ball. But even he looked a great pick until debilitated early by injury, never quite fulfilling his early potential.
Casper
Guest
Hodge would have to play 8 more years injury free to break Tuck's record. Ain't gonna happen.
Shouts Chen
Guest
He should play on for 300, even 350 games. Or even 400 games. He might surpass Michael Tuck's record of 427 games.
Brian
Guest
I think that one area Hawks have excelled in. We traded away Croad. We also traded away Thompson, Hay, didn't overpay to keep Franklin. There have been plenty of mistakes Mitch Thorp, Muston, Ladson, letting Kennedy & McGlynn go. However we have always managed players without being too emotive and come into trade period open to doing deals and making hard decisions. A bit different now with free agency but I couldn't see a Ryan Griffen or a Nathan Jones being traded next week as their clubs take a punt.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
you need to bring your insightful thoughts to our Hawks forum Jacques, you too, Mango, and Brian :) https://www.facebook.com/groups/2210288061/
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Yeah AR what's the story? Hirdy is clearly loved too much, even to this day. Carey was popular with team mates. Both lead by example. If anything Buckers tried too hard.
Crafty Clown
Guest
To be fair, they've all had their glory. None of the top 3 were a bust and all clubs who selected got value for their selection.
Crafty Clown
Guest
That's correct. Hawthorn were a fading 55m bomb of the boot of Trent Croad from making the 2001 Grand Final, so they definitely weren't in the running for a priority pick that year.
Mango Jack
Guest
There are many things to admire about Hodge. He plays as tough as anyone and his confrontational style in contests for the ball frequently leads to scuffles with opponents. He stands his ground, of course, but I love it that he always ends up with a big grin on his face. I reckon he loves every aspect of the game, but doesn't take it, or himself, too seriously. The "Buddy kiss" was classic Hodge. You could almost hear him saying "we're going to grind you blokes into the ground, but I still love you, mate".
jacques of Lilydale
Guest
In the early days when Juddy was smashing everything, winning brownlows and premierships, questions were asked as to hawthorn's selection criteria in selecting Hodge over Judd. Well, fast forward ten years, Judd is burnt out, Hodge is still the most inflluential captain in the AFL and doesn't look like stopping at back to back premierships. Captain courageous is simply one of the most admired and loved players ever to put n the Hawthorn Guernsey.
Casper
Guest
What are the 'buts' on Carey and Hird regarding their on field leadership?
shiftyxr
Guest
Not a priority pick, we traded Croad and Mcpharlin for pick 1, to get Hodge. I believe we also received the pick we used to draft Mitchell in the same deal.
Franko
Guest
A priority pick wasn't he?
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Yes..............his 'knee related virus' in 12..............decisive , with goos hammy :(