HAWTHORN skipper Luke Hodge says while there is a benefit of having Grand Final experience, his side knows it must be prepared for a fierce contest from the first bounce on Saturday.
The Eagles have only three players who have experienced a grand final previously, including former Hawk Xavier Ellis who was a part of the 2008 premiership team, but Hodge says it’s the attitude players take in to the game that bears the most effect.
“It helps if they come with the right mentality. You can’t come in and just think it’s going to happen,” Hodge told hawthornfc.com.au.
“West Coast, a lot of them are playing their first grand final and are probably going to be eager, they’re going to be excited, sometimes with that there’s a few mistakes that come along with it but in saying that we need to come with the right attitude.”
“We need to come with a fierce attitude and with the right intent, making sure that you make your own luck and that’s what we need to do on the weekend.”
Hodge, who will line up for his fourth consecutive grand final and fifth in all, says that despite having played on the AFL’s biggest stage on so many occasions still finds himself getting as excited as ever.
“You remember growing up as a kid watching Grand Final day, you’d go into the backyard and try to replicate all the guys you used to watch – Gary Ablett and the like – but to get another opportunity to play in a grand final on the MCG, especially the older you get… seriously I cant wait,” he said.
“Waking up and it’s all or nothing... it excites me.
“I’ve been playing footy for a long time but still to this day I get goose-bumps just thinking about it and I seriously cannot wait for Saturday.”
The dual Norm Smith Medallist also heaped praise on his teammates for the way they’ve bounced back from an early finals loss and two trips to Perth to put themselves in the frame to win a third straight premiership.
“Throughout the last few years we’ve had hiccups …this year we’ve had hiccups as well, obviously it wasn’t ideal losing the first week and having to travel back over to Perth," Hodge said.
“But I think that’s best part about this group, it doesn’t matter what happens to them, their concentration, their motivation to get the best out of themselves is second to none.”
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