Luke Hodge

Luke Hodge
Hodge playing for the Brisbane Lions in 2018
Personal information
Full name Luke Hodgey
Nickname(s) The General
Date of birth (1984-06-15) 15 June 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth Colac, Victoria, Australia
Original team(s) Geelong Falcons (TAC Cup)
Draft No. 1 (PP), 2001 national draft
Debut Round 5, 2002, Hawthorn vs. Richmond, at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Height 186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 92 kg (203 lb)
Position(s) Midfielder / defender
Playing career
Years Club Games (Goals)
2002–2017 Hawthorn 305 (193)
2018–2019 Brisbane Lions 041 00(1)
Total 346 (194)
International team honours
Years Team Games (Goals)
2005–2015 Australia 4 (0)
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Luke Hodge (born 15 June 1984) is a former Australian rules football player who played with the Hawthorn Football Club and the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL). He played for the Hawthorn Football Club from 2002 to 2017, captaining the club from 2011 to 2016. In 2018, Hodge moved to the Brisbane Lions, before retiring in 2019. Hodge started his career playing on the half-back flank but as his career progressed he has been known to push up into the midfield. He is a four-time premiership player, three-time premiership captain and a two-time Norm Smith Medallist. Hodge is widely regarded as one of the most respected players, in particular as a captain, to have ever participated in the sport.[1][2] As of 2023, Hodge has played the most VFL/AFL games of any number-one draft pick (346 games played), is the only number-one draft pick to win a Norm Smith Medal, is one of just three number-one draft picks to have won a premiership, and has won the most premierships of any number-one draft pick (4).

  1. ^ Willoughby, James (14 July 2017). "From training-shy kid to AFL great, that's the Luke Hodge story". The New Daily. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  2. ^ Pierik, Jon (20 January 2017). "Luke Hodge to be remembered as one of the greatest AFL captains". The Age. Retrieved 26 September 2018.