Luke Hodge

Luke Hodge (b. June 15th, 1984) currently plays for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League (Australian Rules). He made his debut in 2002.

Hodge, recruited from Colac, Victoria through the Geelong Falcons U/18 Football Club, was the first draft pick in the "Super Draft" of 2001, exceeding other young superstars, Luke Ball (St.Kilda) and 2004 Brownlow Medalist Chris Judd (West Coast Eagles). For years Hawthorn's choice of Hodge over Judd was widely criticized. Luke Hodge however proved his worth in the 2005 season, accumulating 15 votes in the Brownlow Medal, achieving All-Australian Honours on the Half Back Flank, and claiming the Hawthorn Football Club Joel Crimmins Medal for Best and Fairest player of the season.

Hodge possesses exquisite skills, blistering pace and acceleration and masterful ball winning capabilities. He amassed over 30 disposals 10 times (out of 22 rounds) and kicked 9 goals in 2005, his best performance coming against Essendon in Round 20 when he collected 36 possessions. He can play forward and back but predominantly in the midfield. He finished the season fifth in the league for disposals on 581.

At the end of the 2005 season Luke Hodge has played 66 games and kicked 42 goals for the Hawthorn Football Club.