Luke Hodge

Luke Hodge (born 15 June 1984) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Hodge is the current captain of the club. 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.

Early life

Luke Hodge was born in the Victorian town of Colac.

Career

Hodge plays half-back flanker and midfield. Recruited from the Geelong Falcons Under 18 team, Hodge made his debut in 2002.

Hodge was recruited from the Geelong Falcons Under 18 Football Club, and in 2001 nominated for the 2001 AFL Draft. He was the number-one draft choice of Hawthorn Football Club (taken from Fremantle for Trent Croad and Luke McPharlin). In the early years of his career he was compared with Chris Judd who was chosen with the third selection in the same draft.

He was named in the 2005 All-Australian team and in International Rules team for Australia. Hodge was named sole vice-captain of the Hawthorn Football Club in October 2007.