Toast Luke Hodge - 300 games in the Number 15. Brilliant player and a 'good bloke'.

[Bumpswithagrin]

Glad to hear he is playing out the season but thought this would be his last so am ok with that. Would have preferred the announcement at the end of the year but understand his reasons for announcing it now.

 

[vanders]

The fact he still feels mentally and physically well enough to play on next year but is retiring so he doesn't take a spot one of the young guys could have epitomises his whole time at Hawthorn.

One of the greatest leaders and team first players our great club and the comp has ever seen.

Thanks for the memories champ, there's been plenty.

 

[Pessimistic]

Just 3 more MCG games. let's pack them out. pity the last two are at Docklands

 

[Braidz]

Get him straight into an assistant coaches role at the club. Need to keep him at the club for the youngsters. Thank you Hodgey. You bloody champ. Loves every moment. You bleed Hawthorn!
Thanks for the memories

 

[Pessimistic]

Just 3 more MCG games. let's pack them out. pity the last two are at Docklands

....unless of course........

 

[Dave Id]

Time for another Normie!

 

[Jaeger]

Gutted. We'll never replace Hodgey, but we are so blessed to have had him at Hawthorn.

 

[Gold Member]

Hodge debuted on 27 April 2002.
One month later, on the 24th May, Johnny Cash had written and released a song about Hodgey.

"The Man Comes Around" as written by and John R Cash....

"And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder
One of the four beasts saying,
'Come and see.' and I saw, and behold a white horse"

There's a man goin' 'round takin' names
And he decides who to free and who to blame
Everybody won't be treated all the same
There'll be a golden ladder reachin' down
When the man comes around

The hairs on your arm will stand up
At the terror in each sip and in each sup
Will you partake of that last offered cup
Or disappear into the potter's ground?
When the man comes around

Hear the trumpets hear the pipers
One hundred million angels singin'
Multitudes are marchin' to the big kettledrum
Voices callin', voices cryin'
Some are born and some are dyin'
It's alpha and omega's kingdom come
And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree
The virgins are all trimming their wicks
The whirlwind is in the thorn tree
It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks

Till armageddon no shalam, no shalom
Then the father hen will call his chickens home
The wise man will bow down before the throne
And at his feet they'll cast their golden crowns
When the man comes around

Whoever is unjust let him be unjust still
Whoever is righteous let him be righteous still
Whoever is filthy let him be filthy still
Listen to the words long written down
When the man comes around

Hear the trumpets hear the pipers
One hundred million angels singin'
Multitudes are marchin' to the big kettledrum
Voices callin', voices cryin'
Some are born and some are dyin'
It's alpha and omega's kingdom come
And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree
The virgins are all trimming their wicks
The whirlwind is in the thorn trees
It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks
In measured hundredweight and penny pound
When the man comes around

"And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts
And I looked, and behold a pale horse
And his name that sat on him was death, and hell followed with him"

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Shed a few sneaky tears when I saw the banner on grand final day in 2014, shed a sneaky couple just then.

Our footy club couldn't have asked for a better warrior.

 

[Nugett]

Great presser.
Always sad to see club champions go. But great to see him have the full backing of Clarko and even better that he is leaving on his terms and still playing consistent footy

 

[MatteeG]

I'm numb. Part sad, part proud. What a champion.

 

[Great8]

Absolute champion of the game.
Get him on the phone ASAP to replace one of our numerous failed coaches in the box

 

[Gauntlet]

Sad but proud of Hodgey and the club - they transformed each other.

 

[TazHawk15]

Should I just burst into tears or should I assume the foetal position first?

Any help appreciated.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

Bulldogs game to be a sell out now

 

[Wundo]

Last game at the MCG...

....unless of course........

 

[Bedi]

End of an era indeed. Probably hasn't been a player's retirement since Leigh Matthews in 85 that has felt this way. I think the time is right though, as we don't want a Hardwick or Brand in the reserves once Stratton, Birchall and Frawley come good.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Should I just burst into tears or should I assume the foetal position first?

Any help appreciated.

Childish tantrum is what I'm feeling.

 

[Foxx1]

Eyes a bit watery today. One of the great leaders in football history. Thanks for the memories Luke, your legacy will live on

 

[OhhhhhCyril]

Bulldogs game to be a sell out now

Has round 23 been announced yet ?

 

[Dragz]

Had to lol at the reason for the announcement now - so he doesn't have to have a second conference at the end of the year and so he doesn't have to lie if they'd asked his plans for the future. ClassicHodgey! Been a true Champion of the HFC.

 

[bugalugs213]

Thanks for the memories hodgy!
The first few years seeing Judd burn it up was kinda hard but i knew you would come good.
Will always be one of my favorite Hawks!

 

[A Cut Above]

Very happy Hodge has made that decision. Yes it'll hurt that we won't get to see him play another year but its far better than watching him play on a year too long and become the butt of jokes. This way he gets to go out on top of his game, and focus on coaching in 2018.

Timing is everything in life and I think he's timed this perfectly. Soon he can embark on a new phase of his life and I'll follow his progress eagerly, hoping one day he may return to coach Hawthorn. Imagine a GF coaching matchup of Hodge vs Mitchell! Certainly not beyond the realms of possibility.

 

[Nugett]

Gutted. We'll never replace Hodgey, but we are so blessed to have had him at Hawthorn.

The best #1 draft pick of all time. Pleased we bypassed on Judd and Ball. Absolute legend, will be sorely missed.

 

[Pessimistic]

Had to lol at the reason for the announcement now - so he doesn't have to have a second conference at the end of the year and so he doesn't have to lie if they'd asked his plans for the future. ClassicHodgey! Been a true Champion of the HFC.

"You know how footballers hate lying"