Hodge not about to hang up boots

LUKE Hodge is set to remain in the Brisbane backline despite suggestions he should consider retirement after a poor AFL game against Richmond.

The 309-game defender has received the backing of the club, with chief executive Greg Swann defending his recruitment from Hawthorn in the off-season at the age of 33 and claims he was past his best.

Hodge had five clangers at a disposal efficiency of 58 per cent in the 93-point loss to the Tigers as the Lions kicked just two goals at the MCG.

It has also been argued he’s defensively vulnerable and would better serve from the coaches’ box. The club recruited Hodge with the expectation he’d play most games this season and Swann says that remains the case.

“On the weekend, we had a bad game. But I think the three weeks before that, Luke has been one of our better players,” Swann told SEN radio.

The four-time premiership player had been signed to help fast-track the development of the Lions, who have one of the youngest lists in the league.

The club has followed their wooden spoon with a 0-4 start to the season.