Luke Hodge or Joel Selwood.

[M Malice]

We all know them very well so no need for much of an explanation, both fantastic inspirational leaders with multiple honours, with 20/20 hindsight if you could go back and choose 1 of them who would you take at the start of their careers and why?

Luke Hodge- 329 games, 22.2 disposals per game, 194 goals, 4 time premiership player(3 x captain), 3 x All Australian, 2 x B&F, 2 x Norm Smith.

Joel Selwood- 276 games, 25.6 disposals per game, 155 goals, 3 time premiership player, 6 x All Australian, 3 x B&F.

 

[Alphonse_]

As a player, Selwood easily

 

[Lethality]

Probably Luke Hodge, he could have ended up with a lot better stats if he played midfield/fwd, which was what he played as a junior, but he's been so good in defence that Clarkson and Fagan often played him there to great effect.

Still, was capable of kicking the odd freak goal from any position, a few of them in here.

 

[The King!]

Football hodge

Limbo tournament Selwood

 

[Benny78]

Selwood because he has him covered as the better leader and player. The only reason I'd take Luke Hodge is due to the myth he is "a general" and might solely bring my list 3 flags

 

[detox]

Probably Luke Hodge, he could have ended up with a lot better stats if he played midfield/fwd, which was what he played as a junior, but he's been so good in defence that Clarkson and Fagan often played him there to great effect.

Still, was capable of kicking the odd freak goal from any position, a few of them in here.

Not often talked about is the X factor of Hodge. Would pull of some ridiculous stuff in big moments.

Well known his GF goal vs west coast but in the 2008 GF he handballed almost the entire length of the centre square and hit Brad Sewell perfectly on the run.

No one talks about it but it was an absurd display of skill



On SM-G950F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Upgrayedd]

Not often talked about is the X factor of Hodge. Would pull of some ridiculous stuff in big moments.

Well known his GF goal vs west coast but in the 2008 GF he handballed almost the entire length of the centre square and hit Brad Sewell perfectly on the run.

No one talks about it but it was an absurd display of skill



On SM-G950F using BigFooty.com mobile app

<3

 

[Procrastinator35]

Should be Hodge versus Voss.....and Hodge would win that one too.....Selwood simply doesn't have the range as a player. He's actually closer to Mitchell in the way & position he plays.

 

[M Malice]

Should be Hodge versus Voss.....and Hodge would win that one too.....Selwood simply doesn't have the range as a player. He's actually closer to Mitchell in the way & position he plays.

Come on P35, I think I've agreed with you in most of these poll questions but as much as I thing Hodgey is a fantastic player IMO Vossy has him covered, not by a massive margin but enough.

 

[saintkildaman]

Hodge. Has had some pretty crazy games which showcase why we had drafted at number 1. Seems to enjoy playing the Dogs with 34 touches + 6 goals in 2007 and 44 touches + 2 goals in 2015.

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

Should be Hodge versus Voss.....and Hodge would win that one too.....Selwood simply doesn't have the range as a player. He's actually closer to Mitchell in the way & position he plays.

Voss has Hodge covered. Selwood is a better version of probably Sewell if we're going to compare to any of the Hawks. Mitchell would be a better comparison with Ablett.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Selwood as a player. Hodge's career was hurt early when Hawthorn used to flog him, and he was constantly on the injury list.

As a leader, Hodge. He has the captain's trophys and Norm Smith's to prove it. Selwood inherited a team on the way down as captain.

The diff between them is circumstance. Both greats.

 

[Procrastinator35]

The diff between them is circumstance. Both greats.

Hodge can play all over the field & kick 60 meters off his left.....Selwood can't.

Hodge has a winning finals record, while Selwood hasn't.

Hodge has never ducked, cheated for frees or whinged & whined about results ever.....Selwood has & does.

 

[Procrastinator35]

Voss has Hodge covered. Selwood is a better version of probably Sewell if we're going to compare to any of the Hawks. Mitchell would be a better comparison with Ablett.

While Mitchell has the high-end consistency of performance like Ablett, that's where the comparison begins & ends.

 

[Lethality]

Joel Selwood inherited a premiership team, both as captain and player, so as much as it pains me to say it as a Geelong supporter, he has had more privilege than Hodge, and has still failed in finals.

I think Hodge is underestimated because of the role he plays. He was dominant enough as a midfielder or midfield/fwd, but then had to be sent into defence to do unglamorous work as a half back.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Hodge can play all over the field & kick 60 meters off his left.....Selwood can't.

Hodge has a winning finals record, while Selwood hasn't.

Hodge has never ducked, cheated for frees or whinged & whined about results ever.....Selwood has & does.

 

[Benny78]

Joel Selwood inherited a premiership team, both as captain and player, so as much as it pains me to say it as a Geelong supporter, he has had more privilege than Hodge, and has still failed in finals.

I think Hodge is underestimated because of the role he plays. He was dominant enough as a midfielder or midfield/fwd, but then had to be sent into defence to do unglamorous work as a half back.

Although his age made him ineligible to enter the 2005 AFL Draft, Selwood's accomplishments during the year led to AFL Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan rating him "the best 17-year-old in Australia".[5] Bendigo Pioneers regional manager Ray Byrne noted that "ability-wise, Joel was streets ahead of everyone. Even at an early age, he was a standout".[4] Byrne praised Selwood's professionalism, noting that he had "never seen a kid prepare in the TAC Cup like Joel (Selwood). He had a fantastic football brain, he could sort it out within 10 minutes of a game who should be where and (doing) what".[4] Selwood received an array of accolades and honours as a bottom-aged player,[5] winning mid-year State honours for Victoria Country in the AFL National Championships. His performances in the championships earned him end-of-year All-Australian honours and the Most Valuable Player award for Victoria Country. In addition, he was named in the TAC Cup Team of the Year, awarded a scholarship within the prestigious AIS-AFL Academy, and subsequently captained his older teammates in the annual under-18s International Rules Series in Ireland. His performances in Ireland earned him the Ron Barassi Medal, as the adjudicated Most Valuable Player of the tour.[6] Selwood's achievements in local football were recognised when he was listed as a finalist in the 2006 Bendigo Sports Star of the Year Award.[7]

Returning in 2006 with the Pioneers, Selwood entered his final year of junior football as one of the top rated prospects in his age group.[8] His achievements at the junior level were recognised early by the AFL Players Association, when he was awarded the Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship,[9] and the AFL Life Members Education Fund Award.[10] Rewarded with the captaincy of Bendigo for his final season, Selwood again won mid-year State honours for Victoria Country. However, a knee injury occurred only six rounds into the competition forcing him to undergo surgery—his fourth knee operation within two years—prematurely ending his season

former Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews noted how "from [his] first game ... he looked like he had played 200 of them".[17] Geelong coach Mark Thompson labelled the 18-year-old Selwood the best youngster to have come under his tutelage during his time at the club.[18][19] Geelong captain Tom Harley observed that an 18-year-old Selwood had "an air of confidence – not arrogance but assuredness" that he had never seen before at that age.[20] From the beginning, Selwood showed an ability to influence games; in just his fourth appearance he led his older and more experienced teammates with a game of 25 disposals and nine tackles. This achievement, described as inspiring,[21] earned him an AFL Rising Star Award nomination. The Geelong coaching staff had a highlights package made of this performance, to screen to the rest of the team during the match review later that week.[22] Selwood's impact on the game as a first–year player prompted numerous comparisons to Chris Judd, who a few years earlier had been lauded for his first-year success as an 18-year-old.[23]

At the conclusion of the home and away period, Selwood's regular contributions resulted in several individual accolades. Polling 44 out of a possible 45 votes, he was awarded the inaugural Ron Evans Medal as the winner of the AFL Rising Star Award.[24] Selwood earned the maximum five votes from eight of the nine judges, the other awarding him four out of five. This meant that eight of the nine judges rated him as the best nominee.[25] Selwood was also awarded the prestigious AFLPA Best First Year Player Award, winning over 70% of all votes from his peers. He became only the fourth player to win both the major awards for first–year players.[26]


There are very few that play like Joel Selwood plays and have such a dominant year ... to have that type of year, I think that's a bit of a rarity.
Kevin Sheehan[27]

Having helped Geelong finish first on the ladder and win the McClelland Trophy, Selwood made his finals debut in the 2nd Qualifying Final against the Kangaroos (now North Melbourne) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).[28] In front of nearly 80,000 spectators, Selwood amassed 22 disposals, five marks, five clearances, six inside 50s, five tackles, and five score assists, helping Geelong to a club finals record 106 point victory.[29][30] Although Selwood struggled to contribute in the Preliminary Final against Collingwood two weeks later,[31] he returned to form for the 2007 AFL Grand Final at the MCG against Port Adelaide.[32] With 18 disposals, five marks, five clearances—the most of any Geelong player—seven inside 50s, four tackles, and an equal game-high four score assists,[33] Selwood helped the Cats to a record 119 point win.[34] At 19 years of age, Selwood became the youngest person to play in a winning Grand Final team in 10 years.[35] He was also the first to win the AFL Rising Star Award and play in a premiership side within the same season,[14] making him one of the most accomplished first year players in league history.[27][36] Selwood's debut year achievements resulted in him becoming the highest-paid first–year player in AFL history.[37]

Selwood finished the season ranked first among all first–year players in several major statistical categories;[29] total possessions (405), disposals per game (19.3), kicks (216), handpasses (189), marks (109), tackles (94)—the most ever by any first–year AFL player[38]—and tackles per game (4.5). His 23 score assists during the season also ranked him within the top ten in the league.[29] Selwood added to his list of first year honours at season's end with the Geelong Football Club Best First Year Player Award, along with a top 20 placing in the Club Champion award.[39] He also received several media end of year sporting awards.[40]

Selwood continued to establish himself as a key player in the Geelong midfield during the 2008 AFL season,[41] helping the Cats achieve a record-equalling 21-win season and secure the McClelland Trophy for the second successive year.[42] Selwood also claimed the third–longest all-time winning streak by an individual player in VFL/AFL history; 25 successive wins before a mid-season loss to Collingwood.[43] His standout season was rewarded when he was selected to play for Victoria in the AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match All-Star event.[44] In gaining selection for the Victorian team, Selwood, at 19 years of age, became the youngest player to represent "The Big V" in more than 12 years.[45] He was also selected for the preliminary 2008 All-Australian squad, placed sixth for the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFLPA Most Valuable Player, and finished third in voting for the Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award.[46] Selwood also polled 19 votes in the Brownlow Medal, awarded to the "best and fairest" player in the AFL, to place fifth overall, and second among his teammates.[41] Selwood's consistency and performances over his first two seasons was also recognised by the AFL Coaches Association, who awarded him the Best Young Player Award.[47] Geelong qualified for the finals series and progressed to the Grand Final for the second consecutive year, but were defeated by Hawthorn. Selwood's performance in the final, during which he gathered 29 disposals—including a team-high nine contested possessions—six marks, six tackles, and six inside 50s, were recognised as he placed fourth in Norm Smith Medal voting for best afield in the Grand Final.[48]

Selwood's year, during which he averaged more than 25 disposals, 4 marks, and 4 tackles per game, was also rewarded with a top five finish in the Carji Greeves Medal (Geelong's Best and Fairest).[49] He finished the season ranked within the top ten in the league for possessions (613), disposals per game (25.5), and handpasses (327).[29] His total of 63 free kicks earned during the season was also the highest recorded since the AFL began in 1990, breaking the previous record of 54 set by Luke Darcy five years earlier.[50]

 

[Xtreme]

Hodgey by the dimensions of 20 MCG grounds

Selwood couldn't captain his way out of a hedge maze, let alone lead Geelong to a premiership.
Hodgey has done it all.

 

[Procrastinator35]

16 votes for a ducking, cheating, sooking flog....Even Joey Kennedy wiped the floor with Selwood in the polls.

Lift your game Big footy.

 

[kozi]

Hodge easy. More skilled, better captain.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

Selwood, like a lot of feelings playe r s from 2007 onward, is a fantastic player however he also is Mr marketable off field. On field he's in the next rung (pretty much like Crawford in the 90s/00s who was behind boss, hire, and buckley)

 

[Benny78]

As a leader, Hodge. He has the captain's trophys and Norm Smith's to prove it. Selwood inherited a team on the way down as captain.

The diff between them is circumstance. Both greats.

I think that argument conclusively ends with Joel Selwood having x3 AA (captain) compared to Hodges x3 AA (non captain)

 

[bungalow_bill]

Selwood because he has him covered as the better leader and player. The only reason I'd take Luke Hodge is due to the myth he is "a general" and might solely bring my list 3 flags

From what I've seen of Hodge at the Lions it's no myth. Genius level footy IQ

 

[Procrastinator35]

I think that argument conclusively ends with Joel Selwood having x3 AA (captain) compared to Hodges x3 AA (non captain)

I guess that goes to match Al Clarksons 0x AA Coach of the Year then.....In other words, those AA awards don't mean jack-shit.

When Enright gets the automatic nom every year ahead of Gibson & Burgoyne, then you just know it's a complete joke.

 

[Benny78]

I guess that goes to match Al Clarksons 0x AA Coach of the Year then.....In other words, those AA awards don't mean jack-****.

When Enright gets the automatic nom every year ahead of Gibson & Burgoyne, then you just know it's a complete joke.

When you go look back on it he wasn't the best coach those years. Best coach of September though without a doubt

From memory the awards are decided before the Grand Final. Also Enright was better than Burgoyne and Gibson, if not for Enright they would've made the team without a doubt. Definitely had some good years