Colac export Luke Hodge to call time on AFL career at end of 2017

The Colac product, from the Tigers’ time in the Hampden league, announced his plans to hang up his boots at season’s end just five days out from playing his 300th league game.

Hodge, a four-time premiership player and Hawks captain from 2011-2016, made the announcement at a press conference on Monday afternoon.

“The decision to finish my playing career at the end of the season is something I’ve thought long and hard about,” he said.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but I believe it is the right decision for both the club and I.

“I’m still passionate about footy and I still love running out with the boys each week, but I’m really looking forward to spending more time with my family and, given where the club is at, I know there are several guys knocking down the door and I’m more than happy to step aside for them.”

The Hawks picked up Hodge, who won two Norm Smith medals for best afield in a grand final, with pick 1 in the 2001 AFL Draft – often referred to as the ‘superdraft’ for the remarkable talent it produced, including the likes of Jimmy Bartel, Gary Ablett Jnr and Chris Judd.