Luke Hodge
Luke Hodge (born 15 June 1984) is a former professional Australian rules footballer and current AFL commentator, renowned for his leadership and achievements in the Australian Football League (AFL).[1][2] He played a total of 346 games across 18 seasons, including 305 for the Hawthorn Football Club from 2002 to 2017 and 41 for the Brisbane Lions from 2018 to 2019, kicking 194 goals during his career.[3][4] As a versatile defender and midfielder, Hodge captained Hawthorn from 2011 to 2016, leading the club to three consecutive premierships in 2013, 2014, and 2015, and contributing to a fourth in 2008 as a key player.[4] Born in Colac, Victoria, Hodge rose through the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup before being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 AFL National Draft by Hawthorn.[4] He debuted in 2002 and quickly established himself as a contested ball winner and leader, earning two club best and fairest awards (Peter Crimmins Medals) in 2005 and 2010, as well as three All-Australian selections in 2005, 2008, and 2010 (captain in 2010).[4] His standout grand final performances include winning the Norm Smith Medal in 2008 for his 26 disposals and defensive work in Hawthorn's 26-point victory over Geelong,[5] and again in 2014 with 35 disposals and strong marking in the 63-point win over Sydney.[6][4] After retiring from playing at the end of the 2019 season, Hodge transitioned into coaching and media, serving as a part-time assistant coach at Brisbane before focusing on broadcasting.[7] He has since become a prominent commentator for Channel 7's AFL coverage, providing expert analysis on Friday Night Footy and other programs.[2] In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Hodge was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2025, following his earlier elevation to Hawthorn's Hall of Fame in 2024 and life membership with the club.[4]Early life
Family background
Luke Hodge was born on 15 June 1984 in Colac, a rural town in Victoria, Australia.[8][9] He was raised in Colac, where the close-knit community and country lifestyle shaped his early years.[10][11] Hodge grew up in a family with a strong connection to football; his parents are Bryson and Leanne Hodge.[12] He is the older brother of Dylan Hodge, who later pursued a playing career in the sport at junior and local levels.[13][14] From a young age, Hodge's exposure to Australian rules football came through participation in local clubs in Colac, notably the Colac Imperials, where he contributed to an under-15 premiership win in 1997.[15]Junior and representative career
Hodge began his junior football career with the Colac Imperials Football Club in his hometown of Colac, Victoria, where he developed his skills in local competitions during his early teens.[16] By age 15, he transitioned to the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup under-18 competition, debuting at the senior level in 2000 as a 16-year-old after dominating in the club's reserves.[17] That season, Hodge played a handful of senior games and contributed to the Falcons' premiership win, showcasing his versatility as a half-back and emerging leader.[16] In representative football, Hodge earned All-Australian selection for Victoria Country at both the under-15 and under-16 national championships, highlighting his early potential as a tough, ball-winning defender.[18] He later joined the AFL/AIS Academy in 2001, a prestigious program for top prospects, and represented Australia in the under-18 International Rules series that year, where he won the Ron Barassi Medal as the most valuable player.[19] Hodge's standout junior performances culminated in his selection as the number one overall pick in the 2001 AFL National Draft by the Hawthorn Football Club, straight from the Geelong Falcons.[20]AFL career
Hawthorn Football Club (2002–2017)
Luke Hodge made his AFL debut for Hawthorn in Round 5 of the 2002 season against Richmond at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2001 National Draft from the Geelong Falcons.[21] Initially positioned as a half-back flanker, Hodge quickly established himself as a versatile defender known for his intercepting ability and left-foot kicking precision, playing 15 games in his debut year and earning a nomination for the AFL Rising Star award.[22] Over his early seasons, he contributed to Hawthorn's rebuilding efforts, averaging around 15 disposals per game while adapting to the demands of a developing team.[20] By 2005, Hodge had emerged as one of Hawthorn's standout players, winning the club's best and fairest award in recognition of his consistent defensive performances and leadership qualities.[23] His role began evolving in subsequent years, shifting increasingly into the midfield to leverage his endurance and ball-winning skills, particularly as injuries affected the team's forward line. This transition was evident in the 2008 season, where Hodge played a pivotal role in Hawthorn's surprise premiership victory, earning the Norm Smith Medal as best on ground in the Grand Final with 26 disposals, five tackles, and a goal from his defensive half-back position.[24] The win marked Hawthorn's first flag since 1991 and highlighted Hodge's growth into a key contributor during a period of team maturation under coach Alastair Clarkson.[20] Hodge's midfield dominance peaked in 2010, when he secured his second Peter Crimmins Medal as Hawthorn's best and fairest, averaging over 25 disposals per game and demonstrating elite clearance work.[25] Appointed club captain in 2011 following Sam Mitchell's tenure, Hodge led Hawthorn for six seasons through a dominant era, instilling a culture of resilience and tactical discipline.[11] Under his leadership, the Hawks achieved a historic three-peat of premierships from 2013 to 2015, defeating Fremantle, Sydney, and West Coast respectively in the Grand Finals.[20] In the 2014 Grand Final rematch against Sydney, Hodge again won the Norm Smith Medal, collecting 35 disposals and inspiring his team to a 63-point victory while playing through injury.[26] After the 2015 triumph, Hodge continued as a midfield general in 2016 and 2017, though the team missed finals in the latter year amid a transitional phase. Following 16 seasons with Hawthorn, where he played 305 games and kicked 193 goals, Hodge was traded to Brisbane at the end of 2017 in exchange for draft picks 43 and 75, seeking a new challenge to extend his career.[27]Brisbane Lions (2018–2019)
In October 2017, following his initial retirement announcement from Hawthorn, Luke Hodge requested a trade to the Brisbane Lions, driven by a desire for a fresh challenge in mentoring a rebuilding young squad and reuniting with coach Chris Fagan, a former Hawthorn assistant. The move also facilitated a family relocation to Queensland for a change of lifestyle. Hodge was officially traded to Brisbane on October 18, receiving pick 44 in exchange for picks 43 and 75, leveraging his four premiership credentials to bolster the Lions' leadership depth.[28][27][29] Hodge embraced a prominent mentoring role upon joining Brisbane as a vice-like leader in the club's structure, though not formally titled vice-captain. In his debut 2018 season, he played 19 games, averaging 19.5 disposals and demonstrating versatility across half-back and midfield positions while guiding emerging players such as Harris Andrews, Hugh McCluggage, and new recruit Lachie Neale on defensive structures and game-day decision-making. His influence helped foster team resilience during a 3-19 home-and-away campaign, with Brisbane finishing 15th overall.[30][3][31] The 2019 season saw Hodge maintain a key on-field presence despite turning 35, playing 22 games including Brisbane's first finals series in 10 years, where he featured in the elimination final victory over Sydney and the semi-final loss to Greater Western Sydney. Age-related load management and minor injuries occasionally reduced his training intensity, shifting more focus to off-field guidance for the club's youth, but he still averaged 16.9 disposals and contributed to the Lions' surprising seventh-place finish.[32][3][33] On September 14, 2019, immediately after the semi-final defeat at the Gabba—his 346th and final AFL game—Hodge announced his retirement, citing satisfaction with his mentorship legacy at Brisbane amid the physical toll of 18 seasons. Tributes poured in from the Lions, praising his role in cultural transformation, while the broader AFL community lauded his transition from Hawthorn icon to pivotal figure in Brisbane's revival. Across two seasons with the Lions, Hodge appeared in 41 games and scored 1 goal.[33][34]Career statistics
Luke Hodge played 346 games in his AFL career from 2002 to 2019, primarily as a defender and midfielder, accumulating 194 goals, 7,589 disposals, 1,757 marks, and 1,146 tackles. His averages included 21.9 disposals, 5.1 marks, and 3.3 tackles per game, highlighting his consistent ball-winning presence across both clubs.[3]Season-by-season statistics
The following table summarizes Hodge's regular season and finals statistics by year, including all games played that season.| Season | Team | Games | Goals | Kicks | Handballs | Disposals | Marks | Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Hawthorn | 15 | 9 | 157 | 76 | 233 | 57 | 24 |
| 2003 | Hawthorn | 15 | 10 | 121 | 73 | 194 | 55 | 39 |
| 2004 | Hawthorn | 15 | 14 | 159 | 76 | 235 | 62 | 56 |
| 2005 | Hawthorn | 21 | 9 | 347 | 234 | 581 | 112 | 59 |
| 2006 | Hawthorn | 22 | 6 | 313 | 199 | 512 | 89 | 90 |
| 2007 | Hawthorn | 24 | 23 | 319 | 222 | 541 | 130 | 96 |
| 2008 | Hawthorn | 20 | 20 | 290 | 171 | 461 | 114 | 70 |
| 2009 | Hawthorn | 19 | 10 | 234 | 190 | 424 | 71 | 68 |
| 2010 | Hawthorn | 22 | 15 | 335 | 209 | 544 | 89 | 125 |
| 2011 | Hawthorn | 22 | 19 | 325 | 209 | 534 | 106 | 76 |
| 2012 | Hawthorn | 10 | 9 | 121 | 70 | 191 | 44 | 18 |
| 2013 | Hawthorn | 23 | 11 | 349 | 152 | 501 | 115 | 81 |
| 2014 | Hawthorn | 22 | 12 | 370 | 181 | 551 | 130 | 79 |
| 2015 | Hawthorn | 21 | 21 | 366 | 196 | 562 | 130 | 93 |
| 2016 | Hawthorn | 15 | 4 | 226 | 117 | 343 | 85 | 48 |
| 2017 | Hawthorn | 19 | 1 | 276 | 164 | 440 | 119 | 47 |
| 2018 | Brisbane Lions | 19 | 1 | 248 | 122 | 370 | 121 | 38 |
| 2019 | Brisbane Lions | 22 | 0 | 278 | 94 | 372 | 128 | 39 |
Honours and achievements
Individual awards
Luke Hodge received numerous individual accolades throughout his AFL career, recognizing his versatility, leadership, and impact as a defender and midfielder. These honors highlighted his consistency and excellence, particularly in high-stakes games, where he often elevated his performance.[20] Hodge won Hawthorn's best and fairest award, known as the Peter Crimmins Medal, twice. His first came in 2005 after a breakout season where he averaged 27.7 disposals and earned All-Australian selection, establishing him as a key defender. He claimed the award again in 2010, polling 167 votes as the club's new captain, with numerous standout games.[37][38] He was selected in the All-Australian team on three occasions: in 2005 as a half-back flanker for his intercepting and rebounding prowess; in 2008 following his Norm Smith Medal-winning grand final performance; and in 2010, where he was named captain of the team after leading Hawthorn to a strong season. These selections underscored his elite status among the league's top defenders.[20] Hodge's most prestigious individual honors were his two Norm Smith Medals, awarded to the best player in the AFL Grand Final. In 2008, he earned the medal in Hawthorn's 26-point victory over Geelong, recording 26 disposals, nine marks, and five tackles while playing through a rib injury to restrict the Cats' forwards. He repeated the feat in 2014 against Sydney, amassing 35 disposals, 12 marks, four tackles, and two goals in a 63-point win, becoming only the third player to win multiple Norm Smith Medals.[24][39] In 2014, Hodge was voted the AFL Players' Association Best Captain, receiving the highest peer recognition for his leadership in guiding Hawthorn to the premiership. He never won the Brownlow Medal but had a strong showing in 2010, polling 16 votes to finish equal seventh.[40][41]| Year | Award | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Peter Crimmins Medal | Hawthorn best and fairest |
| 2005 | All-Australian | Half-back flanker |
| 2008 | Norm Smith Medal | Grand Final best on ground (26 disposals, 9 marks) |
| 2008 | All-Australian | Defender |
| 2010 | Peter Crimmins Medal | Hawthorn best and fairest (167 votes) |
| 2010 | All-Australian (Captain) | Captain of the team |
| 2010 | Brownlow Medal | 16 votes (equal 7th) |
| 2014 | Norm Smith Medal | Grand Final best on ground (35 disposals, 2 goals) |
| 2014 | AFLPA Best Captain | Peers' award for leadership |