As Brisbane approach their first finals campaign after years of rebuild – and after a 15th place finish last season – it seems like the perfect time to look at Luke Hodge’s 2017 decision to come out of retirement and join Brisbane, and why more players and clubs should follow suit.
Hodge announced his retirement after playing 305 games with Hawthorn during the 2017 season. However, during the 2017 trade period Hodge decided to take his talents to the Brisbane Lions to help mentor their young players and help the development of the team as a player and later as a coach when he retires from playing.
Hodge has been serviceable for the Lions – playing in 19 games last season and 20 games so far this season – averaging around 16 disposals for the 2019 home and away season. He has also provided great leadership on and off the field.
His tenure with the Lions has set him up for his post AFL career, with a coaching position guaranteed from the deal. It has also given him the opportunity to prolong his career and mentor some younger players, while being in the prime position to learn about the coaching process.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Other players have followed suit in the past, with Hodge’s former teammate Sam Mitchell spending a year with the West Coast Eagles before retiring into a coaching position with the team. There are also rumours that Shaun Burgoyne – another Hawthorn player – is nearing a deal to take his talents to Gold Coast, with a possible coaching position involved in the deal.
More clubs and players should follow this mould, as we have seen – with Luke Hodge’s situation especially – that the presence of a veteran player can help a young team thrive and develop under the leadership and experience that they provide.
Clubs such as the Gold Coast Suns, Carlton, Brisbane and St Kilda can benefit from veteran players coming into the club to mentor the younger players and help them grow. Big name veteran players can also bring in extra revenue from fans who would come to see these players play.
This continued experiment would also give players who have been disregarded by their current clubs the opportunity to prolong their careers, while bringing something to a team that needs help.
We have seen examples of players retiring or not being picked up by their teams for the 2020 season who could provide a service for many of the developing AFL teams. Names such as Jarryd Roughead, Dale Thomas and David Armitage come to mind.
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Both Roughead and Armitage played some solid football in the VFL, but were out of favour with their AFL clubs due to other players being selected in their place. However, both players could still provide something to another club.
Armitage is still a solid midfielder who can provide mentorship and leadership for young developing midfielders and provide a club that would sign him with a solid contributor on a weekly basis.
Roughead can still be a contributor on the scoreboard – as seen in his farewell game where he kicked six goals against Gold Coast – and he could provide mentorship for the young forwards of the game. He is also a great locker room presence, which is required from a leader on any team.
Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas is also another player who can provide leadership and contributions for a team. He played in 20 of Carlton’s 22 games this season – averaging just over 19 disposals – with his best game being against Richmond in Round 21 where he racked up 32 disposals and was a top player for the Blues that day.
Daisy can still contribute at a sound level, and has been terrific this past season. He could provide a solid veteran presence for a young team like Gold Coast who desperately need some guidance.
As more players continue to edge towards the ends of their careers – and teams being willing to dump veteran talent in place for younger players – it would be wise for the veterans of the game to follow in Luke Hodge’s and Sam Mitchell’s footsteps and prolong their career in a mentoring role, which can help set them up in their post playing days in a coaching position as well as help a young club by providing a mentor for their rising stars.
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
Hi Boo, while the AFL do need to adjust the trade rules a bit to try and stop the experienced players leaving teams like the Suns for teams in Melbourne or something like that. However, I do not believe that the Suns should disregard the Hodge experiment as a template completely as players with his experience and skill can help players adjust to the AFL and learn from someone who has been there and done it
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
Gold Coast have had a lot of bad luck with their veterans, however I do not think they should stop trying to acquire mentors. They need to focus on trying to get the right mentors for the group of players they currently have in their squad.
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
Hi Joe, picking the right mentors can be quite tricky. Daisy still has a lot to offer a team in terms of play in my opinion, as we saw during this season he still has another season in him. He is not necessarily a star either and could benefit a young team. I do agree though that a player who knows what it has been like to be a young kid, having to move away from your home state to play the game you love would be beneficial as they can help the young guys adjust to life as an AFL player
Boo
Guest
Hodge is a freak and his performance at Brisbane shouldn't be seen as a template for the Suns.The Suns don't need a player past his best to show the way they need the Afl to change trade rules so they can stem the flow of experienced players leaving the club.
Gary
Roar Rookie
I agree with you about getting good mentors in for the young blokes. Picking the right mentors is the hard bit, specifically off field guidance. I don't think Daisy has much to offer... better off getting a player who has lived/played outside of their home state, and they just have to be hard grafting/dedicated players not necessarily stars of the game.
Zlatan
Roar Rookie
They had a few other experienced players that had zero impact – Jared Brennan and Nathan Bock spring to mind. Josh Fraser was ok for a few years but well past his prime but Danny Stanley & Michael Coad were very solid. Nathan Krakoeur sadly had some personal problems & left early. Michael Barlow also did some good things up there. Just found a list of all the Gold Coast players .. I forgot the Western Bulldog’s Jarad Grant went up there. He was touted early in his career as a future champ and that prediction was a farce. Scott Clayton (who was Bullgog & Suns recruiting manager) said “If Jarrad Grant’s not the best player after them (Kreuzer & Cotchin) , then I’ll swim to Williamstown from here” .. Looking at the amount of turkeys that Scott Clayton drafted at the Suns , i think HE was a big part of the reason why the Suns faltered so early on. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Gold_Coast_Suns_players
TomC
Roar Guru
Nick Malceski also turned out poorly for the Suns.
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
Hi Joe, I forgot all about Campbell Brown. That was not the best move from the Suns. However, I feel like players such as Daisy and Burgoyne could really help the development of some of the younger players at the Suns
Gary
Roar Rookie
I ssem to recall Gold Coast getting the worst possible Hawthorn player to mentor their young talent... Campbell Brown take a bow.
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
Hi Grant, Gold Coast definitely need the help and I agree Hodge and Mitchell are exceptional players. A lot of clubs have great mentoring and leadership programs, but players like Hodge and Mitchell can be an exceptional help to a young team as they can provide the on field leadership and experience to help mentor the younger players into future stars
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
Hi Me Too, I might have been biased with the Armo comment because I'm a St Kilda supporter, but he was always solid for us and a solid mentor and overall person. And I do agree, he did not have a lot of leadership experience but I think he has another year in him to at least try and mentor some younger players. And you are right about Roughy, he would be a good off field pick up. I think we could still play well for a season up forward, but I do not think that he wants to come back. Daisy definitely has another year in him and I really hope another club picks him up. He is capable to play another season. And while there are not many players around of that level of player, I feel like veterans who have been in the league a while and can still produce at some sort of level would be good for young teams, especially at a mentoring on field level
me too
Roar Rookie
Armo is absolutely cooked, would struggle to get a game at Gold Coast, and is hardly in the class of mentors like Hodge or Mitchell. A solid B+ player at his very best and had very little experience as a leader at the Saints. Roughy would be a great off field pick up, he rightly isn't looking on field because one game is not a season. Daisy i think has another year in him, but again not the same level as the Hawks wonder boys who were the very best of the best - both captains, brownlow medalists, and four time premiers. Not many mature players around capable of equaling their status - selwood and pendlebury the only ones i can think of.
Grant Taylor
Guest
Mitchell and Hodge are/were exceptional players and leaders. I think there will only be a very few that could achieve what Hodge has done at Brisbane. Mitchell went to one of the most professionally run clubs going. His effect was minimal. I agree GC need the Hodge Effect but most of the AFL clubs have an excellent mentoring and leadership skill base to draw on that this effect would be negligible.
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
Thus headline is misleading, Roar editors. Should read: “AFL Clubs should.......”