Brisbane veteran and four-time Hawthorn premiership player Luke Hodge has called time on his outstanding 346-game career immediately after Saturday night’s epic three-point semi-final loss to GWS.
Lions coach Chris Fagan announced in his post-game media conference that Hodge had called it quits.
“Hodgey’s finished as a player – I wanted him to come (to the media conference), but that’s not his way,” Fagan said.
“He just wants to walk away quietly.”
Fagan added that Hodge would stay at the Lions, with his role to be determined.
Hodge ended his epic career as one of Brisbane’s best in the pulsating clash at the Gabba and fans cheered him after the final siren.
“He’s hung them up, the old fella,” Fagan said.
“He’s finished on a high note and he’s been unbelievable for us.
“I sort of knew, but I’d never directly asked him the question.
“So I said ‘is that it?’ and he said ‘yep, that’s it’, so that’s it.”
Hodge was already a four-time Hawthorn premiership player when Fagan lured him to Brisbane after the 2017 season.
Fagan, as a key member of Hawthorn’s football department before becoming Brisbane coach, goes back a long way with Hodge.
The Lions coach paid rich tribute to Hodge’s influence in the young Brisbane team, which shot from 15th up to second before their two losing finals.
“He’s a bit of a rascal, but mostly he’s good – he’s the best leader I’ve seen, one of the toughest players I’ve seen, he’s a warrior, that’s for sure,” Fagan said.
“He’s a really intelligent player, he sees the game as well as anyone I know – probably Sam Mitchell is his only equal.
“He’s a giver of his time and knowledge … there’s no doubt the development of our team has been accelerated by his presence.
“No, the time has come, he’s one of the all-time greats. More than anything, he’s a good friend.”
Penster
Roar Guru
Formidable combo with Fagan already and smart enough to stick around Brisbane for a few years before a senior coaching job comes up. The Lions came from nowhere (15th 2018) to top 4 and a narrow defeat on Saturday night, unbelievable, you must be pretty happy about that.
Paul D
Roar Guru
He’s been fantastic for us. Hopefully he stays at Brisbane a few more years yet and helps us go on to bigger and better things.
Gavan Iacono
Roar Rookie
That's a relief. Many told me I must be nuts.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Champions rarely quietly exit with such grace. What a career. Awesome work.
Big AL
Roar Rookie
Absolutely
Big AL
Roar Rookie
What an outstanding player and leader. I remember the question marks over the Hawks selecting Hodge ahead of Chris Judd particularly over the first part of his career but I know which player I would want in my team. Also a decent bloke to go with it. True legend of the game
Raimond
Roar Guru
Not one of my favourites, but a great commentator, I hope he is picked up by Seven — they need some talent.
Raimond
Roar Guru
“He’s finished on a high note” :laughing:
anon
Roar Pro
I thought going to Brisbane was the desperate act of an old man who couldn't quit, but he elevated his standing in the game with these two seasons at Brisbane. Brisbane massively overachieved this year and Hodge was instrumental in this. I think they'll fall back to the middle of the table next year.
Gavan Iacono
Roar Rookie
Strangely under-rated player given I would rank him the best player, first chosen in any team, best leader, high IQ, impact on games etc. in the last 15 years, ahead of the more silky players that come to mind. Does anyone else rank him this highly?
paulywalnuts
Guest
Probably seen better footballers but don’t think I’ve seen one quite like him. What often gets overlooked among his other attributes is just how versatile he was- probably best known as a defender but he was a stellar on-baller and more than capable of kicking a few goals if needed up forward. And don’t think I’ve seen a better finals footballer. Thought he was cooked in his final year at Hawthorn but proved me wrong- went out in fine form and not everyone gets to do that. Well done Hodgey.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
He was sensational again tonite, one of the greats of the AFL the Lions have improved because of him so much so they will miss him and they will struggle next year I feel with a tougher draw and injury front. Luckily for Greene it was a close game.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
My favourite player of the modern era and destined to be a future AFL Legend IMHO. Would have loved him to have added another flag to his stelllar CV but his contribution to Brisbane's re-emergence is an enormous achievement itself. I'm glad he backed himself to move north and delivered big time - TBH I wasn't sure he had that much left in the tank but he proved lots of us wrong. Hope to see his boys play in the brown and gold one day.
Bruce Vartan
Guest
Congratulations Hodgey on a great career, and thank you for what you have brought to the Lions over the last 2 years, it's something they would never get without a player or person like you. It shows that if clubs that can't climb the ladder want an older player it can help, but in saying that, I think it has to a defensive player like yourself, because if you get the defense working, the attack will come.