Luke Hodge turns it on against old club as Brisbane Lions upset Hawthorn for first win of the AFL season

Angus Reid

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Luke Hodge turns it on against old club as Brisbane Lions upset Hawthorn for first win of the AFL season image

Alastair Clarkson said he was just another player, but on Sunday, Luke Hodge dominated his former club in what was truly a bizarre sight.

Hodge sits fifth on Hawthorn's all-time games list after playing 305 matches for the club between 2002 and 2017.

He was a four-time premiership player with the Hawks, of which he was captain of for three, a two-time Norm Smith Medallist, and is generally a legend of the club.

His move to Brisbane in the off-season was strange because no one in the AFL could imagine the veteran in anything but a Hawthorn guernsey.

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For the first time in his career, Hodge went head-to-head against his former club when the Hawks travelled to the 'Gabba.

“As harsh as it may seem, he’s just one of 22 faceless men for us,” Clarkson said ahead of the Hawks' clash with Hodge's new club.

“He’s a very proud man and he’ll be pretty keen to play well against his old teammates and his old club and we’ve got to be doing our best to not worry about the face that’s in the jumper.”

Play well against his old teammates did he ever.

The 33-year-old played a starring role in the Lions' shock 56-point mauling of the Hawks, their first win of the season.

He controlled the play expertly from the back, having 19 disposals and taking seven marks.

Eric Hipwood kicked four goals for the Lions, while Dayne Zorko, Tom Cutler and Dayne Beams all had cracking matches.

For many AFL fans, it was the first time ever that they had enjoyed Hodge's performance in a Hawks fixture.










 


 

Angus Reid

Angus Reid Photo