THE HAWK WE LOVE TO HATE BUT SECRETLY ADMIRE:
LUKE Hodge is a country bumpkin, one who would have been a Colac garbo without his AFL career.
Hodge had no argument when those unflattering — and amusing — assessments were raised at yesterday’s retirement announcement. After all, who cares? He is also one of the greatest players.
The former Hawthorn captain and four-time premiership star has confirmed this is his last season.
He made the announcement before his 300th game, on Saturday against fierce rival Geelong.
It will mark the end of an era, with Hodge the last of the three priority picks in the 2001 super draft.
Hodge was No.1 ahead of St Kilda and Collingwood star Luke Ball, with West Coast and Carlton great Chris Judd next — all premiership players.
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson sat next to him yesterday and was merciless.
“I wouldn’t have thought you were going to be the last one left,” Clarkson said.
Hodge said: “My uncle actually summed it up when Juddy retired — ‘who would have guessed the fat, slow one is still going?’ ”
He remembered former Hawks fitness coach Andrew Russell calling him the most unprofessional person he had seen.
Hodge was asked what he might have been without an AFL career. That was the cue for Clarkson to offer, “Colac garbo”.
“That got a few more laughs than I wanted,” Hodge said.
And the Colac kid had to learn the hard way, with Clarkson nominating Hodge’s 21st birthday as the key light bulb moment.
He missed training the following Monday and was suspended for one game.
“His (Clarkson’s) words were, ‘the punishment doesn’t fit the crime, but we have a bigger picture here that we have to look towards’ and I couldn’t argue with him at all,” Hodge said.
The Hawks coach said Hodge became a once-in-ageneration player, renowned for putting his club and teammates first.
Clarkson said he turned a potential 200-game career into 300 with how well he has looked after himself.
Hodge still loves the game and is in shape, but wants to give the Hawks the chance to develop their youth.
As wife Lauren and children Cooper, Chase and Leo looked on, he said he would speak to his family before deciding what to do next.