Luke Hodge’s influence is already being felt at the Brisbane Lions as the AFL great prepares to pull on a guernsey other than Hawthorn’s for the first time.
Three-time Hawks premiership captain Hodge will play his first pre-season minutes for the Lions in their final hit-out against Gold Coast at Southport on Sunday.
“He looks ready to go. I’m really excited to see what he can do with us,” star midfielder Dayne Zorko told reporters on Friday.
Hodge, 33, shelved retirement plans late last year to answer a call from former Hawthorn assistant Chris Fagan – now the head coach at Brisbane – to continue his stellar career for two more seasons.
Zorko, the Lions’ reigning club champion and an All-Australian last year, said Hodge had slotted in seamlessly.
“There’s really no surprise as to why Hawthorn were so successful with the standards he brings through a club,” he said.
“Everyone’s been able to pick up something (from him) and add to their game which has been so beneficial.
“I personally just see him as another player, to be honest.
“What he’s done for the game and for Hawthorn is fantastic but he’s chosen to come up to Brisbane and work on the next chapter of his life and that’s helping develop us and take us to where he was able to take Hawthorn.”
Hodge has been named on the half-back flank, his favoured position, for the practice match against the Suns.
Lions assistant Dale Tapping said there was no set target for how long Hodge will stay on the field.
The match is being treated as a full round-one dress rehearsal with Brisbane naming a full-strength team.
Zorko said Hodge’s “cool head” was exactly what the Lions and their young key defenders like Harris Andrews and Darcy Gardiner needed around them.
“It might take him about three minutes to get into the game but that’s about it,” he said.
“He’s an experienced campaigner, he’s done it all before.
“The way he constructs and talks on the field, there’s no-one better in the game than him.”
The Finger
Guest
Paul, I think that Hodge’s knowledge and discipline can lead to a stronger culture at the Lions. The playing list there is very talented and I’m looking forward to seeing a rapid development there as the season evolves. .....Hodge will also help to toughen them up when they might otherwise start to feel sorry for themselves.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I tell you though, if Hodge is not only a superb guiding influence, but at 33 or whatever he is, is still one of our best players on the field there should be a lot of guys in their 20's at the Lions hanging their heads in shame.
The Finger
Guest
Hodge is a class act. Although I’m mindful of clubs focussing on not keeping players until being past their use by date, they might want to consider the intellectual capital that these players are likely to contribute to future competitors. Hodge has enormous knowledge and experience that is already being passed on and resonating with the young Lions players. Same thing with Sam Mitchell going from the Hawks to the Eagles. James Kelly has made, and continues to make, a profound impact at Essendon, both as a player and now as a coach, having been unceremoniously dismissed prematurely from the Cats. Clubs might need to consider the relevance of intellectual capital being transferred to other clubs when they are sending premiership champions out to pasture prematurely. The benefits to opposition clubs are exponential!