AFL By The Numbers: 15 Luke Hodge
15
Luke Hodge.
Midfielder for the Hawthorn Hawks.
Luke Hodge is a barometer for how successful and how talented the Hawks are. In the past they have used him at centre half back, which meant they were a very depleted team. Often he is played on a defensive flank, that is when the Hawks think they are the underdog and the ball will need to be won in the back half a lot. Hodge's best spot, and the place where he provides the most drive for the team, is right in the middle and when he is in there teaming with Mitchell they are one of the best centre square clearance specialist combos.
He was the top pick in the 2001 AFL draft. 2001 was when Hawthorn started building for the future, that draft also provided Mitchell, Brown and Ladson. Hodge made his debut in 2002 and was a very good player for his first three years in the league.
2005 was the season when Hodge joined the elite of the AFL. He had 10 games that year of 30 or more possessions, usually his possessions are kicks which makes him even more effective. He recorded his career-high for kicks in a game that year with 25.
Hodge recently signed a contract extension with the Hawthorn football club. That was a good move as compared to when he first joined the club he is now part of a team on the rise. It isn't just Hodge, Mitchell and an elderly Crawford in the middle now as Lewis, Sewell, Bateman, Ladson, McGlynn and others are solid AFL players. The back line won't need Hodge as much with Birchall, Ellis, Gilham and Guerra making an impact. Hodge also has some young targets in the forward line to kick to, and his goal assists totals will increase as Franklin becomes one of the top forwards in the AFL.
Luke Hodge information:
184cm, 92kg
Official AFL Profile
Wikipedia entry
Number 14
Luke Hodge.
Midfielder for the Hawthorn Hawks.
Luke Hodge is a barometer for how successful and how talented the Hawks are. In the past they have used him at centre half back, which meant they were a very depleted team. Often he is played on a defensive flank, that is when the Hawks think they are the underdog and the ball will need to be won in the back half a lot. Hodge's best spot, and the place where he provides the most drive for the team, is right in the middle and when he is in there teaming with Mitchell they are one of the best centre square clearance specialist combos.
He was the top pick in the 2001 AFL draft. 2001 was when Hawthorn started building for the future, that draft also provided Mitchell, Brown and Ladson. Hodge made his debut in 2002 and was a very good player for his first three years in the league.
2005 was the season when Hodge joined the elite of the AFL. He had 10 games that year of 30 or more possessions, usually his possessions are kicks which makes him even more effective. He recorded his career-high for kicks in a game that year with 25.
Hodge recently signed a contract extension with the Hawthorn football club. That was a good move as compared to when he first joined the club he is now part of a team on the rise. It isn't just Hodge, Mitchell and an elderly Crawford in the middle now as Lewis, Sewell, Bateman, Ladson, McGlynn and others are solid AFL players. The back line won't need Hodge as much with Birchall, Ellis, Gilham and Guerra making an impact. Hodge also has some young targets in the forward line to kick to, and his goal assists totals will increase as Franklin becomes one of the top forwards in the AFL.
Luke Hodge information:
184cm, 92kg
Official AFL Profile
Wikipedia entry
Number 14
