Luke Hodge 2008

[Chewy]

It's a shame that Hodge was struck down with severe and recurrent OP and that he's never been able to build up his endurance running to elite levels. While not being able to run everywhere and accumulate 35 possies every week has cost him a chance of winning the Brownlow, it's a testament to his football ability that he is able to play any position and still dominate games.

One of the best footballers ever to wear the brown and gold.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

It's a shame that Hodge was struck down with severe and recurrent OP and that he's never been able to build up his endurance running to elite levels. While not being able to run everywhere and accumulate 35 possies every week has cost him a chance of winning the Brownlow, it's a testament to his football ability that he is able to play any position and still dominate games.

One of the best footballers ever to wear the brown and gold.

Hear hear.

 

[WALL-e]

It's a shame that Hodge was struck down with severe and recurrent OP and that he's never been able to build up his endurance running to elite levels. While not being able to run everywhere and accumulate 35 possies every week has cost him a chance of winning the Brownlow, it's a testament to his football ability that he is able to play any position and still dominate games.

One of the best footballers ever to wear the brown and gold.

I feel the same way about Brent Rielly.

Stars when fit, but can't seem to stay that way for long. Wierd thing is all his injuries have been impact injuries and not reoccuring soft tissue ones, so it's a case of really bad luck.

 

[Heritier 09]

absolute gun. no 2 ways about it. Hodge is in the best 5 or 6 players in the league IMO.
game over.
1.Ablett
2.Franklin
3.Riewoldt
4.Judd
5.Brown
6. Hodge
7. Pavlich
8. Bartel
9. C Cornes
10. Richardson
11. Kerr
12. Harvey
13. Selwood
14. Goodes
15. Scarlett

 

[Heritier 09]

ah shit, coxy.
ammendmant. coxy ahead of riewoldt. list same Hodge 7

 

[carmi99]

absolute gun. no 2 ways about it. Hodge is in the best 5 or 6 players in the league IMO.
game over.
1.Ablett
2.Franklin
3.Riewoldt
4.Judd
5.Brown
6. Hodge
7. Pavlich
8. Bartel
9. C Cornes
10. Richardson
11. Kerr
12. Harvey
13. Selwood
14. Goodes
15. Scarlett

Pav, Bartel, Cox and Kerr ahead of Hodge.

Other than that a good effort.

 

[ChisBlues]

It's a shame that Hodge was struck down with severe and recurrent OP and that he's never been able to build up his endurance running to elite levels. While not being able to run everywhere and accumulate 35 possies every week has cost him a chance of winning the Brownlow, it's a testament to his football ability that he is able to play any position and still dominate games.

One of the best footballers ever to wear the brown and gold.

Can you put these players in order of greatness for me please ?

Knights, Tuck, Matthews, Dunstall, Platten, Mew, Hodge, Brereton, Langford, Moore, Crimmins, Dipierdomenico, Crawford, Mitchell, Franklin, Kennedy Snr, Peck, Ayers, Hudson, Scott, Arthur, Buckenara, Jarman, Parkin, Wallace

 

[Mr Lizard]

Can you put these players in order of greatness for me please ?

Knights, Tuck, Matthews, Dunstall, Platten, Mew, Hodge, Brereton, Langford, Moore, Crimmins, Dipierdomenico, Crawford, Mitchell, Franklin, Kennedy Snr, Peck, Ayers, Hudson, Scott, Arthur, Buckenara, Jarman, Parkin, Wallace

Peter Motley isn't a Carlton great, but he was a great footballer wasn't he?

 

[Chewy]

Can you put these players in order of greatness for me please ?

Knights, Tuck, Matthews, Dunstall, Platten, Mew, Hodge, Brereton, Langford, Moore, Crimmins, Dipierdomenico, Crawford, Mitchell, Franklin, Kennedy Snr, Peck, Ayers, Hudson, Scott, Arthur, Buckenara, Jarman, Parkin, Wallace

It's too hard. Different eras, different positions. It really comes down to personal preference. It also depends on the weight you attach to longevity and consistent output over an entire career (eg Craig Bradley 1986-1999) as opposed to their highwater mark (eg Koutoufides in 2000)

If you held a gun to my head:

1. Matthews
2. Dunstall
3. Platten
4. Brereton
5. Knights
6. Tuck
7. Ayres
8. Crawford
9. Buckenara
10. Hudson (I didn't see him at his peak, otherwise he'd be at #2)

You can properly judge these guys for the entirety of their careers (or Crawford's 16 seasons) whereas Franklin, Hodge and Mitchell still have their best years ahead of them.

If Jarman had stayed longer, he'd be in there too, probably at #4

I'm slightly biased against defenders (it's easier to spoil than to mark) therefore I'd rank Sticks ahead of SOS if it was Carlton. I consider Langford, Moore and Mew as three of the greatest defenders I've seen, but I have to rate the ball players ahead of them. Hodge also plays down back (as well as anyone) but I don't consider him to be purely a defender.

On actual football ability, I'd have Hodge somewhere in my Top 10, between Dunstall and Tuck.
As for Franklin... not sure yet...

It's all so meaningless to compare anyway. Everyone brings their own strengths and weaknessess to the table. Hodge shits all over Hudson and Dunstall for all-round ability, but those 2 guys were specialists; incredible full forwards. Hodge cannot run like Platten, nor can he play FF like Dunstall. Hodgey is tough, hard-at-it and good overhead like Gary Ayres, but he is also highly-skilled and has a bag of tricks like Bucky and Jars. It's a unique combo.

Imagine if Wayne Johnston was tougher, had a higher pain threshold, was more versatile, could mark overhead, tackled, bumped, blocked, did all the one-percenters, read the play better, was a more creative handballer, was more consistent and played hard every game, not just the big games. That's how I see Hodge. And I'm not dissing The Dominator. He was a great footballer.

Players make their reputations in September, in particular by playing in Grand Finals and premierships. Hodge has only played in 3 finals and been outstanding in 2 of them. Hopefully in the next five years, everyone else will acknowledge what Hawk fans have been crapping on about for the past five years.

 

[Bollox]

It's a shame that Hodge was struck down with severe and recurrent OP and that he's never been able to build up his endurance running to elite levels. While not being able to run everywhere and accumulate 35 possies every week has cost him a chance of winning the Brownlow, it's a testament to his football ability that he is able to play any position and still dominate games.

Do you guys feel its shame about Luke Ball ?

Afterall the guy has had much worse luck than Hodge.

 

[Mr Lizard]

Do you guys feel its shame about Luke Ball ?

Afterall the guy has had much worse luck than Hodge.

Absolutely it's a shame about Luke Ball. In the leadup to that draft, I thought we were going to pick him, Hawthorn connections and all.

Classy unit, I think he played through injuries that should have been rested. I don't know the truth (or otherwise) of that, but I still think it.


His career is far from over though, hopefully we get to see him at his best for a while.

 

[Chewy]

Do you guys feel its shame about Luke Ball ?

Afterall the guy has had much worse luck than Hodge.

Of course it's a shame. But this thread is about Luke Hodge. Obviously Luke Ball has had the more publicised case of OP, but don't forget Hodge had it too and has to manage his career wisely. People always question his fitness without realising the history.

Why would you bring up the name of Luke Ball? Oh, I get it... The 2001 draft. It's amazing that Hodge can never be discussed without reference to Judd or Ball. Do you reckon there will ever be a time when people will move on from the events of November 2001?

 

[Chewy]

Luke Ball... Classy unit... His career is far from over though, hopefully we don't get to see him at his best for a while.

Edited for accuracy.

I'd be happy to see him win St Kilda's 2009 best and fairest.

 

[ChisBlues]

Peter Motley isn't a Carlton great, but he was a great footballer wasn't he?

I'm not sure how to take that statement. I hope it wasn't a dirty troll about someone who had a terrible accident & I will assume it wasn't & is an innocent statement.
Motley was interesting. I saw him in about his 8th game at Princess Park & he just looked lost. I thought he was going to be a bit of a dud.
Late 86 & 87 before his accident he was damn good, but certainly not a Carlton great.
In his short time he was excellent but I can't classify him as a great.

 

[Mr Lizard]

Edited for accuracy.

I'd be happy to see him win St Kilda's 2009 best and fairest.

Hahaha yeah okay.

He is a sh*t truck, Sampi was a better pick, he won't get a touch on Saturday night.

But he'll come good next season.

 

[ChisBlues]

It's too hard. Different eras, different positions. It really comes down to personal preference. It also depends on the weight you attach to longevity and consistent output over an entire career (eg Craig Bradley 1986-1999) as opposed to their highwater mark (eg Koutoufides in 2000)

If you held a gun to my head:

1. Matthews
2. Dunstall
3. Platten
4. Brereton
5. Knights
6. Tuck
7. Ayres
8. Crawford
9. Buckenara
10. Hudson (I didn't see him at his peak, otherwise he'd be at #2)

You can properly judge these guys for the entirety of their careers (or Crawford's 16 seasons) whereas Franklin, Hodge and Mitchell still have their best years ahead of them.

If Jarman had stayed longer, he'd be in there too, probably at #4

I'm slightly biased against defenders (it's easier to spoil than to mark) therefore I'd rank Sticks ahead of SOS if it was Carlton. I consider Langford, Moore and Mew as three of the greatest defenders I've seen, but I have to rate the ball players ahead of them. Hodge also plays down back (as well as anyone) but I don't consider him to be purely a defender.

On actual football ability, I'd have Hodge somewhere in my Top 10, between Dunstall and Tuck.
As for Franklin... not sure yet...

It's all so meaningless to compare anyway. Everyone brings their own strengths and weaknessess to the table. Hodge shits all over Hudson and Dunstall for all-round ability, but those 2 guys were specialists; incredible full forwards. Hodge cannot run like Platten, nor can he play FF like Dunstall. Hodgey is tough, hard-at-it and good overhead like Gary Ayres, but he is also highly-skilled and has a bag of tricks like Bucky and Jars. It's a unique combo.

Imagine if Wayne Johnston was tougher, had a higher pain threshold, was more versatile, could mark overhead, tackled, bumped, blocked, did all the one-percenters, read the play better, was a more creative handballer, was more consistent and played hard every game, not just the big games. That's how I see Hodge. And I'm not dissing The Dominator. He was a great footballer.

Players make their reputations in September, in particular by playing in Grand Finals and premierships. Hodge has only played in 3 finals and been outstanding in 2 of them. Hopefully in the next five years, everyone else will acknowledge what Hawk fans have been crapping on about for the past five years.

Very well written.
The point I am making is covered in some of your statements.
Way too early to be classified as a Hawthorn great but the potential is certainly there. Hasn't played enough finals yet to show his mental toughness.
I listed almost all those players as I thought of them & when I looked up the Internet to find some more I saw the names Ayres & Jarman.
I saw Hawthorn players from the late 1970's onwards & by listing 25 or more players I wanted to highlight the rich history of all time greats at Hawthorn. Hodge simply does not make it in my top 20 Hawks in that list but I feel he will get in the top 10 by the end of his career.
It would probably be interesting to write down Carlton's top 25 but on this forum they will probably be called overated duds who are criminals or some other rubbish.
My top 10 Hawks:
Matthews
Knights
Dunstall
Langford
Ayres
Platten
Hudson
Brereton
Tuck
Crawford

PS: I have always liked Hawthorn. Carlton had periods of dominance in the 70' & 80's with Hawthorn & the rivalry & big games were fantastic.. The posters on BF just annoy me so I troll about Hodge even though he is a gun ( for a fat bloke ).

 

[Mr Lizard]

I'm not sure how to take that statement. I hope it wasn't a dirty troll about someone who had a terrible accident & I will assume it wasn't & is an innocent statement.
Motley was interesting. I saw him in about his 8th game at Princess Park & he just looked lost. I thought he was going to be a bit of a dud.
Late 86 & 87 before his accident he was damn good, but certainly not a Carlton great.
In his short time he was excellent but I can't classify him as a great.

No it wasn't a troll. I've been reading you spruiking schizen about Hodge all through this thread, then you want to question Chewy's call about Hodge being one of the best footballers to pull on a Hawthorn jumper.

I was just giving a bit of perspective. Motley was a great footballer, but as you say (and as I said) he isn't a Carlton 'great' because he only played a short time. Hodge hasn't played his career yet, I'm hoping he has another good 5-8 years left in him. I'd be hoping that by this time, he will go down as a Hawthorn 'great'. At this stage, it isn't really fair to compare him to 300 game champions. He is a great footballer now though, regardless of what he does (or doesn't) do for the rest of his career.

I think your comparisons between Hodge and Bowden are just 'dirty trolls' myself, or at the least extremely ignorant. This isn't bay 13, chief.

pre-post edit: and you've already made my point for me. Hmmm, why would you ask Chewy to rank Hodge amongst Hawthorn's all-time champions when you yourself say it is too early to do so properly? I don't get you.

pre-post edit(2): Ha! It was just trolling! Pffft, enough with BigFooty. I'm going to get off my nut for the next three days, go to both finals, and cheer my head off like an idiot. Hodge is an absolute gun. September is awesome. Carna Hawks!!!!

 

[ChisBlues]

No it wasn't a troll. I've been reading you spruiking schizen about Hodge all through this thread, then you want to question Chewy's call about Hodge being one of the best footballers to pull on a Hawthorn jumper.

I was just giving a bit of perspective. Motley was a great footballer, but as you say (and as I said) he isn't a Carlton 'great' because he only played a short time. Hodge hasn't played his career yet, I'm hoping he has another good 5-8 years left in him. I'd be hoping that by this time, he will go down as a Hawthorn 'great'. At this stage, it isn't really fair to compare him to 300 game champions. He is a great footballer now though, regardless of what he does (or doesn't) do for the rest of his career.

I think your comparisons between Hodge and Bowden are just 'dirty trolls' myself, or at the least extremely ignorant. This isn't bay 13, chief.

pre-post edit: and you've already made my point for me. Hmmm, why would you ask Chewy to rank Hodge amongst Hawthorn's all-time champions when you yourself say it is too early to do so properly? I don't get you.

pre-post edit(2): Ha! It was just trolling! Pffft, enough with BigFooty. I'm going to get off my nut for the next three days, go to both finals, and cheer my head off like an idiot. Hodge is an absolute gun. September is awesome. Carna Hawks!!!!

Unfortunately AFL & Bay13 seem to be the same these days which is unfortunate. I'm happy to talk serious in AFL if others do.
The Bowden thing is a troll of course but it's directed at people like Hodgepodge who quote stupid stats all the time & trolls anything Carlton. Just making my attempts to annoy those who annoy me.
There was no problem with what I asked Chewy & it was in no way to denigrate anyone at Hawthorn. Chewy stated that Hodge is already one of the best ever at Hawthorn. I am pointing out that it is premature & highlighted just how many greats your amazing club has had. Your last 40 years is chequered with footballs all time greats & I think it is a bit rich to add Hodge to that list already.
I'd be interested to see where you can honestlyy fit Hodge in that list right now. At the end of his career he may be in the top 10 but he is far from it right now.

 

[Mr Lizard]

Unfortunately AFL & Bay13 seem to be the same these days which is unfortunate. I'm happy to talk serious in AFL if others do.

Fair enough, it is a shame. I was perhaps reading you wrong, and lumping you in with SirJimi05.

There was no problem with what I asked Chewy & it was in no way to denigrate anyone at Hawthorn. Chewy stated that Hodge is already one of the best ever at Hawthorn.

One of the best footballers ever to wear the brown and gold.

As I said, I was perhaps reading something more adversarial into what you wrote than was there. For the record (and what I was trying to point out with the Motley comparison), I think he meant it talent/ability wise, not so much career-wise...'great', not 'a great' as such, if you get what I mean...maybe like 'Gary Ablett, one of the best footballers ever to wear the brown and gold' - great footballer, not a Hawthorn 'great' though.

Anyhoo, game on soon enough. Go Hawks!!!!

 

[ChisBlues]

Fair enough, it is a shame. I was perhaps reading you wrong, and lumping you in with SirJimi05.




As I said, I was perhaps reading something more adversarial into what you wrote than was there. For the record (and what I was trying to point out with the Motley comparison), I think he meant it talent/ability wise, not so much career-wise...'great', not 'a great' as such, if you get what I mean...maybe like 'Gary Ablett, one of the best footballers ever to wear the brown and gold' - great footballer, not a Hawthorn 'great' though.

Anyhoo, game on soon enough. Go Hawks!!!!

Enjoy your next few days at footy, pub, whatever. I do hope the Saints smack the Hawks & then win the GF but if it ends up being Cats vs Hawks then that means the best two teams by far are there.

 

[cs61]

Its all about the effect on the game, and Hodge has a huge effect on a game of football and easily one of the best players in the competition. He can control the tempo offensively and defensively.

All the coaches know the importance of stopping Luke Hodge, he offers so much in playing like a third man up, but also playing like a midfielder when the ball hits the ground. To be able to do that, plus go in the midfield and be an A grader, or go forward for goals makes him a class utility. Its an absolute strength he can go back, midfield or forward, not a weakness.

We are a completely different side without him up and running.

The move from him to backline has been huge for us as a side, who cares if people call him anything other than a gun. They'd be wrong.

 

[Cat for Life]

I think Joel Bowden is severely underrated in here.

 

[somocca]

This is becoming a joke... Luke Hodge a soft player who gathers cheap kicks along the half back line?

Luke Hodge is a great player, and has improved dramatically this year. Over the past couple of week i've been hearing all this bashing of Hodge, it is going to far.

Hodge is starting in the backline for a reason, if we really needed Hodge in the forward or up in the midfield dont you think he would be there since he is our bestand most important player. Over the years Hodge has been playing all over the ground in positions where he has been needed the most, through the tough times he was need up in the forward line and in the midfield. Now we don't need to play him in these positions since we have a packed midfield with Mitchell, Sewell, Lewis, Ellis ect and the BEST forward line in the competition. We need him down back

Hodge is making one of Hawthorns weaknesses a strong point, as you might see Hawthorn has quite a young and undersized backline and it is obvioulsy the weakness of this team, he has been playing down there to help out, we NEED him there, we don't really need him in the midfield(although sometimes it would be nice), we certainly dont need him up forward, we have to have him there to make Hawthorn a stronger team.

He isn't just a floating back cheap kicking player. Anyone who has watched the Hawks over the past 2 months and especially last week would have seen what a effect Hodge has had on this team playing in the backline. Last week he was clearly second if not best on ground with only rakcing up 16 possesions, that has to tell you something. He took 6 or 7 contested pack marks in the back 50, he stormed through the lines and hit targets on the chest 50 metres away.

There has been all this talk about whos the better player Judd or Hodge, who cares they are both fantastic football players, but don't you think this year Hodge has been better? But to be better you have had a better career and thats definetly Judd with the huge amount of achievement's he has picked up.

I want everyone on this board to watch Hodge this week and look at the enourmas impact he has on the team, during the game and during half time. He is a huge leader of this team.

Stop the bashing.

Why the need to defend the champ? People's opinions that are important are the only ones you need worry about. Others can suit themselves..

 

[hodge_15]

Why the need to defend the champ? People's opinions that are important are the only ones you need worry about. Others can suit themselves..

Because i want to stand up for him when people are giving him shit

you should wanna do the same

it should make you pissed off of all this crap

 

[somocca]

Because i want to stand up for him when people are giving him shit

you should wanna do the same

it should make you pissed off of all this crap

Doesn't bother me in the slightest. There are always going to be idiots on this site. You should know that.
I know Luke Hodge is a great footballer. When people underrate him, it makes it more enjoyable when he tears their sides apart. Just enjoy the ride..