Player Watch 15. Luke Hodge

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Report on Game 1 - Hawks V Cats

People could probably be forgiven for thinking Hodge had an ordinary game. (He typically has such a high standard that he is expected to be in top 5 players for the Hawks).

Obviously "under-done", Hodge improved as the game went on, in particular his last quarter when the Hawks started to really get going, Hodgey was looking like he did in the GF of 08.

In terms of stats, he was still the teams 7th highest, collecting 20 disposal - 11 kicks and 9 handballs. He took 2 marks and made 5 tackles. Unfortunately, he was also reported in the 3rd quarter when running back with the flight of the ball, trying to spoil - he collected Lonegan in the head.

The report aside, I think Hawks supporters will be wrapped, he got through the game and will be better for the run. :thumbsu:
 
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/30/2530264.htm

Hodge free to play, Hawks' Taylor charged

Hawthorn received mixed news from the AFL match review panel with Luke Hodge cleared of striking but ruckman Simon Taylor facing a ban for kneeing.

Hodge was cleared of striking Tom Lonergan during the Hawks' opening round loss to the Cats, but Taylor faces two weeks on the sidelines after being hit with a level three kneeing offence.

An early plea would see Taylor miss two matches for his knee to Geelong's Joel Selwood, and he would risk a three-game ban should he contest the charge.
 
Report on Game 2 - Hawks V Swans

A tough day at the office for the Hawks, Hodgey started ok and the Hawks looked set early in the game.

After half time and also on copping a knock to the back of the head from Roughy, Hodgey was struggling (as were the Hawks). He was swapped around into the forward line and centre, but was obviously not right - though the Hawks has bushfires to tend to all over the park.

Stats show Hodge was the Hawks 2 greatest possession winner with 17 disposals - He got 14 kicks, 3 handballs, 6 marks, 3 tackles and had 2 hitouts. He received 2 frees and 1 against as well as kicking 1 point.

Overall, a game that will be reviewed once and probably never seen again.
 

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Report on Game 3 - Hawks V Kangaroos

Welcoming back Gilham, Hodge was able to work the defensive structure much better this week. Early on in the game Hodge was covering off many of the Roo's attacks and the confidence in the defensive unit was clearly lifting.

Guerra and Whitecross played sensational games and formed part of a tough back 6 led by Hodge.

While still not quite back to his elite form, Hodge is getting better each week and expect him (barring injury!) to be really hitting top form over the 2-3 weeks.

Hodges stats were 26 possessions - 12 kicks, 14 handpasses, 4 marks and 1 hitout. He had 3 freekicks awarded against him and received 1.
 
Report on Game 4 - Hawks V Port Adelaide

Another game that will be reviewed once and then consigned to the don't bother watching again. Hodge had a game that represented how well the Hawks were travelling - which essentially was along the lines of "should be able to win contest, but not enough hunger was shown".

There were glimpses of the exceptional, but overall, it was not a day to remember for highlights that we come to expect with Hodge. Looking forward to next weeks game against West Coast.

Hodges stats were 17 possessions - 13 kicks, 4 handpasses, 3 marks, 4 tackles and he kicked 1 goal. He had 1 freekick awarded against him and received 1.
 
Report on Game 5 - Hawks V West Coast

A hugely improved performance this week. Hodge (who with assistance from Mitchell early) ensured that the defensive area was a tough area for the Eagles to penetrate.

Plenty of times during the match, where the game was in the balance, Hodge made critical spoils/efforts to thwart the Eagles attacks and teamed well with the Hawks other backmen (in particular Whitecross)...

Hodges stats were 26 possessions - 17 kicks, 9 handpasses, 4 marks and 5 tackles. He had 1 freekick awarded against him and received 2.
 
Report on Game 6 - Hawks V Carlton

Even though the result was a fantastic one for the Hawks (in the end), Hodge had a quiet day in comparison to his usual standards.

Tagged by Carrazzo, Hodge was still able to direct the backline and provide leadership to the younger players, Beau Dowler had a cracker of a game and will be benefiting enormously with Hodge's guidance.

Hodges stats were 16 possessions - 5 kicks, 11 handpasses, 2 marks and 5 tackles.
 
Injury takes toll on Hodge



HAWTHORN'S injury crisis has plummeted to new lows, with Luke Hodge set to miss two games with an adductor strain.
The vice-captain has been carrying the injury for a month, but struggled badly in last night's 44-point belting at the hands of a red-hot Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

"Hodgy has been playing sore and we've probably got to make a decision over the course of the next week of whether we keep him going or give him a rest for two or three weeks to get it right," Clarkson said.

Clarko, please rest him and lets get him right, he is a gun for this club and we need him in his usual form, not bandaged up trying to patch holes and being beaten by guys he would normally take to the cleaners.
 
Report on Game 7 - Hawks V Essendon

As per the post above, Hodge's injury finally caught up with him as he struggled to play the game. While he tried as we would expect Hodge to do, it was plainly obvious that Luke's injury restricted his output and the Hawks were exposed.

Hodge's stats were 11 possessions - 5 kicks, 6 handpasses, 2 marks and 3 tackles. He had 2 free kicks awarded against him and received 1.
 
By Jason Phelan 12:14 PM Thu 14 May, 2009

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson has foregone the traditional pre-match game of intrigue and declared Luke Hodge a non-starter against Fremantle.

Hodge has been troubled by an adductor strain in recent weeks and departs the side along with injured goalsneak Cameron Stokes.


More to follow...

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsartic...7/default.aspx
 
Hawks pay dearly as Hodge gamble backfires(Article) http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...012432,00.html





Courtney Walsh | May 15, 2009

Article from: The Australian

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson, a week ago, lamented the cost of robbing Peter to pay Paul as he unsuccessfully sought to bolster his injury-hit defence against Essendon.
The price, it turns out, is extremely expensive.
Star Hawk Luke Hodge, arguably the club's most important player, could miss the next month with a strained adductor muscle after carrying the thigh injury for weeks to minimise the holes left in the premiers' shaky defence.
 
Let's go shopping



Hawk pair Luke Hodge and Jarryd Roughead are high on GC's "most wanted" list, as is Geelong young gun Joel Selwood. If Gold Coast gets its way, Hodge or Selwood will be captain when the team makes its first appearance in 2011. That, for the record, is just 21 months away.

The Hodge situation is full of intrigue. While he comes off contract this year, he could sign for just one more year, leaving him free to negotiate with the new club before the 2010 national draft, the event that will determine the face of football for the following 10 years.

Hodge is heading towards the most important commercial decision in his life. It is reasonable to presume Hawthorn is paying him in the order of $500,000 this year.
It is equally reasonable to assume Gold Coast would pay him double that amount from 2011. For four, maybe even five years. Industry sources suggest Gold Coast will pay up to $1.2 million a year for the player it sees as the ideal man to lead it in its formative years.



Hodge will go into the 2011 season at 26. Then there's Selwood, who will turn 23 about the same time. His salary, currently estimated at $275,000, would treble in any move north. Leading player manager Paul Connors recently told the Herald Sun website: "If Nick Riewoldt was three years younger, he'd be worth $1.3 million from the (new) club, and you'd imagine marketing would bring it up to $1.5 million."

There could be no more credible witness, given Connors manages the game's highest-paid player, Chris Judd. A host of names have been tossed up in recent months as Gold Coast's prime recruiting targets, which raises the sensitive question of compensation for their former clubs.

Clubs that can't negotiate a trade for an uncontracted player will be compensated with draft picks that will remain redeemable for five years, and also be tradeable. But the bottom line is the highest compensation available is a first-round draft pick.

Immediately after the relevant club's pick in that round. If, for example, Hodge or Roughead decided to join Gold Coast after playing in the premiership team in 2010 (clubs can't lose more than one uncontracted player), the Hawks would then have selections 25 and 26.

Compensation, based on departing player's age, previous pay and playing honours, will be confined to selections in the first three rounds of the draft.

There is no doubt Hodge, Roughead and Selwood are at the top of the GC list.
 
http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4742/newsid/77649/default.aspx

A coach's-eye view
By Luke Hodge 7:07 AM Tue 26 May, 2009

IT’S BEEN two weeks now and I’ve got to say, I’m missing my footy.

I’ve had plenty of well-wishers and people inquiring about my groin (strange as that may seem) and while I want to get straight back out there I’m making sure I’m doing everything right to have a full recovery.
 

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http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnew...hawthorn-needed/2009/06/07/1244313033247.html

Hodge's heroics just what Hawthorn needed

Martin Blake | June 8, 2009

LUKE Hodge's importance to Hawthorn does not require measuring, nor confirmation by any particular act of skill or courage or inspiration.

As coach Alastair Clarkson observed last night, it "goes without saying". But just in case anyone was wondering, Colac's finest wrote another chapter in his personal story at the MCG yesterday as the Hawks scraped out a win against Sydney despite severe personnel difficulties.


And "some" people wonder why we love him!
 
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/78422/default.aspx

Hodge gets the Goodes in comeback
By Luke Holmesby 10:13 AM Mon 08 June, 2009

SPENDING an afternoon running with Adam Goodes after three weeks off injured is a tough challenge for any footballer.

Luke Hodge is one player who relishes any challenge, no matter the degree of difficulty but acknowledges his work was cut out for him on Sunday.
 
Report on Game 11 - Hawks V Sydney

Hodge playing in this game was not totally expected, though hugely welcome by the team and the Hawks fans.

While most would have been happy to see Luke get through the game without injury, the brains trust decided to put him on Sydney's best player (Goodes), such is the regard that Hodge is held in at the club.

Luke's return was magnificent and helped shore up the defence, making it very tough for the Sydney forwards to function effectively and directing traffic throughout the match.

However, it was in the last quarter when the game was in the balance, that a glimpse of the typical courage Hodge was seen.

A kick into the Sydney forward line that threatened to cause rain, needed to be spoilt away from big Sydney forwards and a congregation of players all under the ball had Hawks fans holding their breath (for fear of free kicks or a mark to Big Bad Barry)....They need not have worried, Hodge fearlessly jumped high into a backward arc (with no regard for his own safety) and pulled down a game saving effort! - Legendary!

Hodges stats were 23 possessions - 17 kicks, 6 handpasses, 6 marks and 1 tackle. He had 1 freekick awarded against him and received 2.
 
Report on Game 12 - Hawks V Brisbane

The less stated about this game, the better. While Luke was easily one of the Hawks better players, this game will go down as a real disappointment for the Hawthorn group.

The real Hawks are expected to come to play against West Coast in game 13 at Subiaco in 2 weeks time and I look forward to reporting on that.

Hodges stats were 27 possessions - 11 kicks, 16 handpasses, 6 marks and 1 tackle. He had 3 freekicks awarded against him and received 0.
 
Report on Game 13 - Hawks V Eagles

While it was stated that there was a degree of hope the real Hawks would turn up for this game after a very poor performance against Brisbane, the hope was misplaced.

The Hawks struggled to get going from the first quarter, having the benefit of a cyclone, could not capitalise and were behind the 8-ball early. Even though leading at 3 quarter time, they were over-run by an average Eagles team and Luke (who still appears to be injured) did well with his stats, but will still not consider this an acceptable game, based on his standards.

Hodges stats were 31 possessions - 11 kicks, 20 handpasses, 2 marks and 2 tackles. He had 1 freekicks awarded against him and received 0.
 
Report on Game 14 - Hawks V Bulldogs

Three in a row for the Hawks (thats ordinary losses, by the way) and this by far was the worse. Not sure if any Hawk won his position and the half time scoreboard was pretty close to a true reflection of the game.

Hodge, who as far as I can see is still not right, tried and was servicable as one could be during a game where we were getting belted. Its all eyes to Tassie this week in hope that the Hawks can lift and defeat the Roos.

Against the dogs, Hodge's stats were 22 possessions - 13 kicks, 9 handpasses, 6 marks and 5 tackles. He had no freekicks awarded against him and received 0.
 
Report on Game 15 - Hawks V Roos

It is with great pleasure that I make this report and advise that Luke played an instrumental part in ensuring the Hawks won this match. In the last quarter when the Roos were 14 points ahead, it was Hodge as well as Buddy and Sewell that changed the pattern of the game.

Hodge lifted and had over 10 possessions for the quarter including a late one which was kicking the goal that got the Hawks in front. It was team-lifting stuff and hopefully the catalyst that can the train back on track.

Against the Roos, Hodge's stats were 25 possessions - 16 kicks, 9 handpasses, 1 mark and 3 tackles. He kicked 2 goals and 1 behind and had no freekicks awarded against him but received 1.
 
Report on Game 16 - Hawks V Collingwood

Lukey, Lukey, Lukey....what a game...In what looks like a continuation of the last quarter from the Roos game, luke and Buddy put on another show that lit the Hawks up.
Starting in the centre, Luke played a magnificent game and ensured during the second half, that the Hawks would come home with the 4 points.

The real test will come this week against the Cats and I hope that the report will be consistent with this one, in saying Luke was BOG.

Against the Pies, Hodge's stats were 34 possessions - 18 kicks, 16 handpasses, 5 marks and 6 tackles. He kicked 3 goals and 1 behind and had 2 freekicks awarded against him and received 0.
 
http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/hodge-signs-for-early-hawks/2009/09/10/1252519593478.html

Hodge signs for early bird Hawks

Rohan Connolly | September 11, 2009

HAWTHORN has taken early steps to ensure a more competitive campaign next year with the playing group committing to start its pre-season training program nearly two weeks ahead of schedule.
The club has also secured the services of Luke Hodge for another three years after the player agreed to a new contract, committing to the club until 2012.
It's not only Hodge who has shown his commitment as the club's first-to-third-year players will resume full pre-season training on October 19, with the rest of the senior list resuming the following week after voting to return 10 days earlier than under their annual leave provisions.
 

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