Luke HODGE

2017 Digest:   Rested for first practice match vs Cats but resumed in loss to North. Made it through summer but suspended for Round 1 due to missing training.

2017 NAB Cup:  

2017 Season

Played for : Hawthorn

1		Suspended.
2	Adel	In for first game of the season and while work-rate solid he didn’t impact. Got caught a number of times.	5
3	GCS	Set up a couple of good attacking thrusts, although was caught out on occasions in defence.	5
4	Geel	Former skipper rose to challenge in an attempt to lead the team. Got hit hard a few times but kept plucking away.	8
5	WCE	Couple of bad turnovers early but made up for them over the remaining quarters. Leadership was evident.	6
6	StK	Tried to get loose in defence but was under the pump. Went into midfield in second half and battled bravely.	6
7	Melb	Old-timer turned back the clock at times with his vision and creativity with ball in hand. Does what’s needed when needed.	8
8	Bris	Loving the halfback/quarterback role right now. Another strong effort with 20 disposals, 17 kicks and 85 per cent efficiency.	7
9	Coll	Played quarter-back role in usual physical style, mixing it with De Goey. Showed unsociable side in late altercation.	5
10	Syd	Asserted himself physically early, then freed up in back half. Good without being great.	6
11	Port	Former skipper never able to control the game from behind the ball. Got frustrated at times but still won ball 27 times.	6
12		Groin.
13		Bye.
14	Adel	Spent the entire second half unmarked directing traffic, great captain’s game marshalling the troops.	7
15	Coll	Patrolled half back army-general style. Got in the road so often it caused the Magpies no end of trouble.	8
16	GWS	Marshalled the troops and lead well. Kept Sicily in check when he gave some lip. Seven marks and knows where the footy is going.	7
17	Geel	300-game celebrant did all he could although had a couple of problems with Dangerfield in third term; 23 disposals.	7
18	Frem	Not your typical Hodge game but he did his job.	6
19	Syd	23 disposals for the veteran stager, put in another strong performance in what is likely his last battle with Sydney.	7
20		Suspended.
21	NM	Started slowly and wasn’t his best kicking day, but got progressively better to continue his consistent back half of the year..	6
22	Carl	16 touches but wasn’t his steadying influence in defence. Battled hard.	5
23	WB	Farewell game went much the like the 304 games before it although possession count down; 14 disposals – 14 hit target.	5

2016 Season

Played for : Hawthorn

1	Geel	Quiet first half and warmed up a bit, but still didn’t have impact overall. Hurt wrist/arm late in day.	5
2		Arm.
3		Arm.
4	StK	Back early after only a few weeks out. Freed himself up as much as possible in defence.	6
5	Adel	Sound game playing that quarterback role he’s made his own.	6
6	GWS	Tweaked ankle early but then couldn’t restrict the flow of the game.	4
7		Knee.
8		Knee.
9		Knee.
10		Knee.
11		Knee.
13		Knee.
14	GCS	Skipper looked rusty as 1970’s frigate early but warmed to task. Solid second half.	6
16	Port	Masterful display, led by example and commanded his troops to perfection.	9
17	Syd	Not a huge factor at half back and outpointed by Papley at one stage. Four inside-50s.	6
18	Rich	Skipper took a backseat while others stepped up. Quiet one.	4
19	Carl	Not huge numbers but his smarts, experience and hardness was significant.	6
20	Melb	Plugged away around the ball for 20 effective disposals. Tried hard but didn’t star.	6
21	NM	Veteran kept the wheel turning to be a handy contributor behind the ball.	7
22	WCE	Hard at the ball. Tried to lift his team.	6
23	Coll	Did what was needed to be done. Key in the final minutes when game on line.	7
QF	Geel	Important and combative. Reined in Cats midfield in second quarter. Played angry.	7
SF	WB	Skipper did what he could all night. Two goals, eight marks ands six tackles.	7

2015 Season

Played for : Hawthorn

1	Geel	Skipper was superb. Clean hands and clearances winning ability were huge.	8
2	Ess	Had Watson early before shifting back to shore up defence in Frawley’s absence.	7
3	WB	Had a picnic. Ticked past 30 touches by mid third term and dictated all day.	9
4	Port	Finished the game well but made lots of uncharteristics errors.	7
5	NM	Lost head early when he whacked Swallow. Rebounded to be a solid contributor.	6
6		Suspended.
7		Suspended.
8		Suspended.
9	GCS	Returned after his suspension and immediately picked up the threads.	7
10	StK	Cool efficiency and class too much for Saints as game wore on.	7
12	Adel	Always in the right place at the right time, read the game perfectly.	8
13	Ess	Rare quiet one from the skipper. Couldn’t get into the contest at any point.	3
14	Coll	In the thick of it from start. Only downside when tracked Pendlebury in third.	8
15	Frem	First player to get the better of Fyfe this year. Three goals cherry on top of cake.	9
16	Syd	Great early in setting side on path and a huge player in maintaining the rage.	8
17	Carl	Got in the way and worked hard to be involved at both ends.	8
18	Rich	Played predominantly at half back. Lots of short kicks (eight). No inside-50s.	6
19	WCE	Not allowed to dictate terms in defence.	5
20	Geel	Huge. Three first-term goals and ended with four. Key touches at key times.	8
21	Port	Freed up behind ball but kicking was scrappy. Bump on Wingard will attract scrutiny.	5
22		Suspended.
23		Suspended.
QF	WCE	Touched ball nine times in first half. Lifted after main break as expected.	6
SF	Adel	Opening minutes set benchmark for team. Four goals, six clearances.	8
PF	Frem	Skipper did the tough stuff and went back at times to shore up defence.	7
GF	WCE	Potent force and led from the front all the way through. Super captain.	8

2014 Season

Played for : Hawthorn

1	Bris	Marshalled the troops perfectly and showed fantastic courage at times.	7
2	Ess	Controlled half back in first half. Injured groin early in third and subbed out.	4
3		Groin.
4	GCS	Professional, calm and directed traffic form defence.	7
5	Geel	Influence nullified early but got going in second half to get side back into it.	6
6	Rich	Leading possession winner to half time and chugged along all day.	7
7	StK	Started in middle and had big first half then could ease back the throttle.	7
8		Back.
9		Back.
10	Port	Turned over the footy far too many times for a player of his ilk.	6
11	GWS	Marshalled troops and won some key football at critical junctures.	7
12	WCE	Superb. Pushed into the midfield and led by example. One of the best on ground.	8
13	Carl	Involved through middle of ground at times and provided a steady presence.	7
14	Coll	Typically influential around the stoppages and distributed well outside.	7
15	GCS	Irrepressible game from the captain – in his element.	7
16	NM	Never stopped trying to lift his side and get them back on level footing.	7
17	Adel	Ten clearances, seven inside-50s and laid six tackles.	7
18	Syd	Crashed and bashed around the footy. Iced game with sealing goal.	7
19	WB	Hard and unforgiving game and showed the way.	6
20	Melb	Marshalled the troops at half back until a knee in the ribs ended his afternoon.	6
21	Frem	Led well with seven tackles and 28 touches. Booming goal in the first term.	7
22	Geel	Only six possessions in first half then lifted. Not a massive impact.	5
23		Knee.
QF	Geel	Typical no-nonsense effort from the skipper and kicked an important goal.	6
SF		–
PF	Port	Quality game by skipper capped off by late smother on Ebert.	7
GF	Syd	Captain and Norm Smith medallist in flag. Can’t get better than that! Set the tone.	9

2013 Season

Played for : Hawthorn

1	PM	Got through OK but looked very rusty.	–
2	WCE	Great return by skipper after limited preparation. Pivotal to win.	7
3	Coll	From midway through second term to final siren he was best on the ground.	8
4	Frem	Ballantyne paid him close attention and limited his impact.	4
5	NM	Not especially prominent in first half, but lifted later.	5
6	Adel	Masterful performance from Hawthorn captain, whether in midfield or defence.	9
7	Syd	On a mission from opening bounce. Played with real aggression.	8
8	GWS	Made light of Golds tagging him. Good across all four quarters.	6
9	GCS	Steady and set tone in organising backline.	5
10	Melb	Won 10 contested possessions and handy until coach iced him in third term.	6
12	Carl	Used everywhere from full back to half forward. Worked hard and had impact.	6
13	WCE	Strong work, particularly in the air and superb at times across half back.	8
14	Bris	Warmed to the game as the day progressed.	6
15	Geel	Not often we can say it but the skipper had a shocker – nine effective disposals.	3
16	Port	Inspirational leader, outstanding display.	8
17	WB	Amazing torpedo goal in second term after smother.	7
18	Ess	Sat behind the play and played role beautifully. Always in right spot.	8
19	Rich	Struggled down back then pushed forward later but not one his better games.	4
20		Thumb.
21	Coll	Hard edged captain set the tone early and played a fine game.	8
22	NM	Inspirational across half-back line to vie with Mitchell for best-on-ground honours.	7
23	Syd	Always at the forefront with tackling and work in packs.	6
QF	Syd	Big start directing off half back – the consummate pro and finals performer.	8
SF
PF	Geel	Directed from defence as extra early. In his element in a hard contest.	6
GF	Frem	Ultimate man you want in the trenches. Held firm at end to snuff out Dockers.	7

2012 Season

Played for : Hawthorn

5	Syd	On half back line started with job on Bolton.	4
6	StK	Outstanding first quarter and a solid contributor despite corked hip.	6
17	VFL	Got through his first game back. Needed the run.	–
18	Ess	Looked very underdone initially but then booted five goals before subbed off.	7
19	Geel	Unhappy when he was subbed off after a very limited role.	2
20	Port	Mopped up across half back as a loose man. Steady game.	5
21	GCS	Again showing his touch is coming back	7
22	Syd	Took big step to regaining best form with most even display this year.	7
23	WCE	Showed poise and leadership all night. His presence was a key.	7
QF	Coll	Presence a factor in first half then kept chugging despite running out of steam.	6
GF	Syd	Underdone after illness but whole-hearted game in defence second half.	5