Hodge shines one last time as legendary career comes to close

RIGHT to the end, Luke Hodge thrived most when the pressure was most intense.

The 35-year-old Brisbane defender confirmed his retirement minutes after the end of Saturday’s epic semi-final against GWS.

The former Geelong Falcon was high among the Lions’ best in the three-point loss and was cheered by Brisbane fans as the left the Gabba.

It was a brutal clash, tailormade for one of the game’s toughest players.

While he certainly looked like there was more football in him, Hodge told coach Chris Fagan in the rooms afterwards his 346-game career was done.

Hodge’s legend was already assured when he retired at the end of 2017 as a four-time Hawthorn premiership player and two-time North Smith medallist.

But Fagan, who worked with Hodge for many years at the Hawks before moving north to coach the Lions, lured him north.

Fagan heaped praise on Hodge for what he has done at Brisbane on and off the field.

He added Hodge would stay at the club, in a role yet to be finalised.

“He’s finished on a high note and he’s been unbelievable for us,” Fagan said.

“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”

Fagan said Hodge had done a lot of work to prepare the young Lions leaders.

“That’s the legacy he’s left, he’s worked so hard with the leadership group and the younger guys,” Fagan said.

Hodge is a certain AFL Hall Of Fame inductee and surely will also achieve official legend status.

He was the last of the famed three top picks from the 2001 draft still playing, with Chris Judd and Luke Ball also achieving premierships in their decorated careers.