HAWTHORN captain Luke Hodge is free to lead his team into the finals next week after the Hawks' leadership group asked their skipper to make a $5000 donation to a charity of his choice after being caught drink-driving.
Hodge had already been fined $450 and docked 10 demerit points after being pulled over by police on Thursday night when he recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.068.
He will make a $5000 donation to Road Trauma Support Services Victoria.
The Hawks' leadership group, along with coach Alastair Clarkson and football manager Chris Fagan, met immediately after Hawthorn's 57-point final-round win over Carlton at the MCG.
In announcing the sanction in his post-match media conference, Clarkson said he believed it to be a fair punishment.
"We're satisfied (with the penalty) as a footy club, given what he's given to our club, what he's given to the game, the shame that he's had to endure over the last 24 hours … and also his remorse," Clarkson said.
More to come.