Gary Shadforth
Norm Smith Medallist
Veteran
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Another interesting in depth interview with Luke Hodge in today's HS.
What is coming through strongly is his great clubmanship ... his point of view as a team-member and he's biting at the bit to get out on the paddock for next season.
He is so level headed and in no way egotistical.
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Hawk looking for more torque
25 October 2005 Herald Sun
Mark Stevens
ASK Luke Hodge about the size of his engine and he splutters. Always one to talk himself down, the emerging Hawthorn superstar reckons he's still a fair way short of the game's V8 super-chargers.
Hodge is eyeing a full-time role in the midfield next season, but reckons his aerobic capacity is still only 70 per cent of what it could be.
When injury forced Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson to turn to Hodge as an on-ball regular six weeks into last season, the 21-year-old copped a rude reminder of how tough the gig is.
"Before last year, you always had the energy to go out after games. This year, after games in the midfield, you get home and as soon as you hit the couch you'd be asleep," Hodge said.
The rewards were huge even if his weekend nights sleepy. Hodge had five successive 30-plus disposal games, comfortably won his first club best-and-fairest and finished equal seventh in the Brownlow. Imagine how damaging he could be next year if he manages a full pre-season.
Hodge didn't complete an entire pre-season campaign in his first three years at Glenferrie. Last year, he finally got there -- but even that was limited at times.
"Our fitness coach Andrew Russell pulled me out on some occasions when he thought I'd had enough," Hodge said.
Hodge was hobbled by osteitis pubis early in his career after being taken at No. 1 in the 2001 national draft. It is something he still has to manage, even though he finished last season in close to perfect nick.
Once Hodge has a short rest after the International Rules Series against Ireland, Russell will put Hodge through his toughest pre-season yet.
"I'm ready to load up again. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be daunting
because Andrew does work you very hard, but it's something you know you've got to do to last the whole season," he said.
In keeping with his habit of poking fun at himself, Hodge is adamant he is hardly one of the "Sheedy Speedies" being talked up through the international rules campaign.
"I wouldn't say pace is my strong suit," Hodge said.
Asked where he would rank in the club over a 20m sprint, Hodge said: "I'm a little quicker. I've been doing a fair bit of work, but I still wouldn't be in the top 15."
But what he does possess is a rare natural ability to find the ball and deliver it off the left side with power and precision.
Then there is the toughness, which surprised even experienced Australian officials who were boundary-side for Friday night's Subiaco shellacking.
Hodge was the most imposing player on the ground, bullying the Irish by winning the hardball in the middle.
His leadership stood out in a young team. Clearly, he is a captain in waiting at
Hawthorn -- even if he thinks he is still at least two years away from taking on the job.
Hodge still thinks there is much room for improvement -- both on and off the ground.
His diet has improved, but he's still working on it. Then there was his much
publicised 21st birthday party, a drinking session that rolled into Monday and cost him a spot in the team in late June.
"A few mates did come down and we probably took the 21st a little too far. I know that," Hodge said. "I missed a skills session and a weights session."
Hodge was dropped to Box Hill for a week and watched the Hawks match from the coach's box, copping playful abuse from opposition fans as he scaled the steps to join Clarkson and Co.
"The way Clarko explained it to me, I had no problems with it," he said.
"He just sort of said, 'Look, the punishment doesn't really fit the crime and it might be a bit hard'. But he said because we've got such a young group, everyone knows now if you make a mistake you're not going to get away with it.
"I wouldn't say he was angry. He was more disappointed considering I was in the leadership group and he expects me to set an example.
"We're making a new stand. I've got no problems with missing a week. What I did was wrong and I kind of know now."
Hodge said he now understands the dedication needed to succeed, even if it means the season becomes virtually a dry zone.
"We're in a very fortunate position . . . there is plenty of time to enjoy a drink in the off-season," Hodge said.
Hodge is heading to his home town Colac this weekend to celebrate the 21st of Micah Buchanan, younger brother of fellow Australian representative Amon.
He also keeps in touch with another Colac lad, Saint Steven Baker.
"We've had a few poker nights around at his place," Hodge said.
Baker, too, likes a good time. What is it about Colac? "I think it's all country towns. You grow up and there's not much to do so you enjoy the company of others and enjoy having a good time," Hodge said.
Hodge also regularly chats to Saint Luke Ball, the No. 2 pick in the 2001 super-draft, who comes from a far different background in the city.
For so long, the Hawks were criticised for taking Hodge ahead of Ball and Judd. No one's complaining now, even though Judd is still ahead with a Brownlow and Norm Smith Medal to his name.
"Early on the way Juddy went out there and starred, it was fair enough what they weresaying," Hodge said.
"Over the last couple of years, both Bally and my bodies have got used to the
workload. His (Ball's) last two seasons have been fantastic and he's nowhere near as good as he's going to get.When you see some of the things he's done, he's an absolute freak."
What is coming through strongly is his great clubmanship ... his point of view as a team-member and he's biting at the bit to get out on the paddock for next season.
He is so level headed and in no way egotistical.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Hawk looking for more torque
25 October 2005 Herald Sun
Mark Stevens
ASK Luke Hodge about the size of his engine and he splutters. Always one to talk himself down, the emerging Hawthorn superstar reckons he's still a fair way short of the game's V8 super-chargers.
Hodge is eyeing a full-time role in the midfield next season, but reckons his aerobic capacity is still only 70 per cent of what it could be.
When injury forced Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson to turn to Hodge as an on-ball regular six weeks into last season, the 21-year-old copped a rude reminder of how tough the gig is.
"Before last year, you always had the energy to go out after games. This year, after games in the midfield, you get home and as soon as you hit the couch you'd be asleep," Hodge said.
The rewards were huge even if his weekend nights sleepy. Hodge had five successive 30-plus disposal games, comfortably won his first club best-and-fairest and finished equal seventh in the Brownlow. Imagine how damaging he could be next year if he manages a full pre-season.
Hodge didn't complete an entire pre-season campaign in his first three years at Glenferrie. Last year, he finally got there -- but even that was limited at times.
"Our fitness coach Andrew Russell pulled me out on some occasions when he thought I'd had enough," Hodge said.
Hodge was hobbled by osteitis pubis early in his career after being taken at No. 1 in the 2001 national draft. It is something he still has to manage, even though he finished last season in close to perfect nick.
Once Hodge has a short rest after the International Rules Series against Ireland, Russell will put Hodge through his toughest pre-season yet.
"I'm ready to load up again. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be daunting
because Andrew does work you very hard, but it's something you know you've got to do to last the whole season," he said.
In keeping with his habit of poking fun at himself, Hodge is adamant he is hardly one of the "Sheedy Speedies" being talked up through the international rules campaign.
"I wouldn't say pace is my strong suit," Hodge said.
Asked where he would rank in the club over a 20m sprint, Hodge said: "I'm a little quicker. I've been doing a fair bit of work, but I still wouldn't be in the top 15."
But what he does possess is a rare natural ability to find the ball and deliver it off the left side with power and precision.
Then there is the toughness, which surprised even experienced Australian officials who were boundary-side for Friday night's Subiaco shellacking.
Hodge was the most imposing player on the ground, bullying the Irish by winning the hardball in the middle.
His leadership stood out in a young team. Clearly, he is a captain in waiting at
Hawthorn -- even if he thinks he is still at least two years away from taking on the job.
Hodge still thinks there is much room for improvement -- both on and off the ground.
His diet has improved, but he's still working on it. Then there was his much
publicised 21st birthday party, a drinking session that rolled into Monday and cost him a spot in the team in late June.
"A few mates did come down and we probably took the 21st a little too far. I know that," Hodge said. "I missed a skills session and a weights session."
Hodge was dropped to Box Hill for a week and watched the Hawks match from the coach's box, copping playful abuse from opposition fans as he scaled the steps to join Clarkson and Co.
"The way Clarko explained it to me, I had no problems with it," he said.
"He just sort of said, 'Look, the punishment doesn't really fit the crime and it might be a bit hard'. But he said because we've got such a young group, everyone knows now if you make a mistake you're not going to get away with it.
"I wouldn't say he was angry. He was more disappointed considering I was in the leadership group and he expects me to set an example.
"We're making a new stand. I've got no problems with missing a week. What I did was wrong and I kind of know now."
Hodge said he now understands the dedication needed to succeed, even if it means the season becomes virtually a dry zone.
"We're in a very fortunate position . . . there is plenty of time to enjoy a drink in the off-season," Hodge said.
Hodge is heading to his home town Colac this weekend to celebrate the 21st of Micah Buchanan, younger brother of fellow Australian representative Amon.
He also keeps in touch with another Colac lad, Saint Steven Baker.
"We've had a few poker nights around at his place," Hodge said.
Baker, too, likes a good time. What is it about Colac? "I think it's all country towns. You grow up and there's not much to do so you enjoy the company of others and enjoy having a good time," Hodge said.
Hodge also regularly chats to Saint Luke Ball, the No. 2 pick in the 2001 super-draft, who comes from a far different background in the city.
For so long, the Hawks were criticised for taking Hodge ahead of Ball and Judd. No one's complaining now, even though Judd is still ahead with a Brownlow and Norm Smith Medal to his name.
"Early on the way Juddy went out there and starred, it was fair enough what they weresaying," Hodge said.
"Over the last couple of years, both Bally and my bodies have got used to the
workload. His (Ball's) last two seasons have been fantastic and he's nowhere near as good as he's going to get.When you see some of the things he's done, he's an absolute freak."
