There’s no one better at leading the Hawks both on and off the field than skipper, Luke Hodge according to Assistant Coach Brendon Bolton.
Despite the margin of last weekend’s win over Brisbane says 58 points, the game was much tougher than the score line suggests.
Hawthorn was challenged on multiple occasions before storming home at the end of the third quarter to kick six unanswered goals to set up the 58-point win.
The Lions were relentless in their pressure and attack in the second term but struggled to score, something it finally achieved in the third term when Jonathan Brown provided a much-needed focal point.
With 9.36 left in the third quarter, Brisbane trailed by 18 points and had all the momentum.
That was, until Hawthorn re-grouped to pile on six unanswered goals from the 18-32-minute marks of the third quarter to lead by 56 points at the final change.
It was a stunning turnaround from the Hawks who were ruthless in their attack and their defence.
The ability to change the momentum of a game stems from how strong a team’s on-field leadership is, and Hawthorn certainly have many of those.
In defence, there’s the experience of Captain Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson, in the middle there’s Sam Mitchell, Brad Sewell and Vice-captain Jordan Lewis and up forward, Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin.
“The teams that can grab the momentum or slow the momentum down show that they’ve got good leadership and that’s something we keep challenging our players on – being able to create the momentum or slow it down when necessary,” Bolton said.
“It’s not always through your actions, it’s also what you’re saying and doing out on the field, particularly when the ball isn’t in your hand.”
But the Hawks assistant says that despite all the leaders in the side, there’s still no one better at marshalling the troops than the Captain.
“There’s none better in the whole team than Luke Hodge in terms of off the ball leadership with organising and directing,” he said.
“What you’re doing without the ball now is just as important as what you do with it.
“In terms of leadership, you won’t all see it on the screen but there’s a lot of players leading and learning from Hodge what to say and where to get to when they haven’t got the ball.”
