Luke Hodge
Luke Hodge will play his 305th and final game this weekend. Hodge’s retirement brings to an end one of the most decorated careers the game has ever seen. The number one draft pick in 2001, Hodge has won four premierships, two Norm Smith Medals, three All Australian honours, two Peter Crimmins Medals and captained the Hawks for six years, among many other achievements. Hawthorn fans are expected to come out in their droves as they farewell one of the greatest servants in the club’s history.
James Sicily
With the news this week that James Sicily has signed on at Hawthorn until at least the end of 2020, the 22-year old will be keen to put in a strong performance to cap off a sensational season. The young Hawk has been in career best form since switching to defence in Round 14, averaging 23.3 disposals, 4.5 rebound 50s and 8.8 marks across the past nine rounds. His importance to the Hawks was acknowledged last week when he received heightened attention from Carlton’s Jed Lamb. Sicily will be keen to bounce back after his usual influence was somewhat nullified against the Blues.
Tim O’Brien
Tim O’Brien was another Hawk with contract news this week, as he signed on until the end of the 2019 season. The versatile forward has cemented his place in Hawthorn’s line up, playing 15 of a possible 21 games in 2017 and all nine games since the bye. The 23-year old has booted a career-best 1.2 goals per game this season and has taken the third most contested marks of any Hawk this year, averaging 1.3 per game.
Robert Murphy
The Bulldogs need a lot to go their way if they are to qualify for finals this weekend. They would need to overcome the Hawks with none of Essendon, West Coast or St Kilda scraping together a win. If this is the Dogs’ last game of the year then it will spell the end of a career of one of the clubs’ favourite sons, Robert Murphy. Murphy has played 311 games for the Western Bulldogs over an 18-year career. The Bulldogs skipper has led an illustrious path in football since being taken with pick 13 in the 1999 draft, winning two All Australian honours in 2011 and 2015.
Read: Oppo analysis - a closer look at the Bulldogs' line up
Jack Macrae
Despite his side not having as strong a season in 2017, midfielder Jack Macrae has taken the next step this season. Previously criticised for an inability to win ball on the inside, the 23-year old has averaged a career-high in contested possessions (10.7), making him the only Bulldog to be averaging double digits in the category. Averaging 27.2 disposals per game this year, Macrae is clearly the Bulldogs’ strongest ball-getter and certainly one to watch this Friday night.
