LUKE Hodge says he can’t imagine playing anywhere but Hawthorn.
The Hawthorn captain re-signed with the Club on Wednesday, extending his career in the brown and gold to 13 seasons.
Drafted with the first overall pick in the 2001 National Draft, Hodge has been part of the highs and lows of Hawthorn and its rise to one of the AFL’s powerhouse clubs.
Hodge says being part of Hawthorn is more than playing for a football team, more than living the dream of forging an AFL career.
It’s about building a culture, a set of core values to which the playing group subscribes.
He says the Hawks have achieved that, and each player on the Hawthorn list enjoys being part of something Coach Alastair Clarkson has been building since his arrival in 2004.
“We’ve got a very loyal culture and the guys just love to play,” Hodge told hawthornfc.com.au
“That started around 2004 when Clarko arrived he really made sure the guys looked after one another, it was more of a mateship that’s built the Club into what it is today.
“The boys love coming here, they love being around each other, there’s a really good vibe around here at the moment.”
He says he never entertained testing the waters of Free Agency available to him at the end of this season.
Hawthorn is his home.
“I couldn’t imagine leaving or going anywhere else,” he said.
“Hawthorn is a home for everyone who walks into this place. You can feel it by how close everyone is, whether it’s the players or the staff upstairs, everyone gets along.
“Whoever does walk into the footy club, it’s the only place you want to be.”
After succumbing to the Swans in 2012 Grand Final, some have written the Hawks off, declaring its premiership window is fast closing.
But Hodge doesn’t subscribe to that theory, declaring the belief, confidence and hunger to succeed is alive and well within the inner sanctum of the Hawks.
“We’ve been around the mark the last couple of years, we’ve had a couple of disappointing performances or results at the end of the year, but we’ve still got the belief, still got the confidence that we’ve still got a good three or four or more years to come of pushing for the last weekend in September and taking that next step from last year,” he said.
Hodge managed just 10 matches last season after battling a calf injury that had him sidelined for the opening four matches before he was struck down with a knee injury that required post-season surgery.
He says it was frustrating not being able to set the example on the field.
“It was frustrating last year not being able to do it on field (set the example), it was more of a coach’s role where I had to explain to the guys what they did do well and what they didn’t do so well after the game,” he said.
“On the field, you feel more part of it with the fellas and I guess just setting the example, continuing with the culture of the footy club and where we want to go on the field and also off the field.”
Recruiting and List Manager Graham Wright says the Club is excited to have its captain re-sign.
“We're really excited that the captain of our Club has agreed to extend his contract past 2013,” Wright told hawthornfc.com.au
“Luke's leadership on and off the ground is something admired by all clubs but particularly his own.
“His ongoing commitment to the club and the players he leads over the past 12 years has been exemplary.”
He says the leadership Hodge provides makes him an integral person at the football club.
“He has always been committed to Hawthorn and wants to make sure that he stays at Hawthorn for the long term and for his whole career,” he said.
“He brings fantastic leadership both on field and off field, just by the way he plays the game, the way he goes about it, he’s a very important player for us.”