Watch Luke Hodge's exclusive interview with HawksTV in the player above.

HAWTHORN captain Luke Hodge says he has pulled up well after booting five goals in his comeback game against Essendon on Friday night.

Following a performance coach Alastair Clarkson declared exceeded the club's "wildest dreams," the 28-year-old said the hit-out had been the ideal first step in his road back to full fitness.

Playing exclusively as a forward in the 94-point win, Hodge took three contested marks, won two clearances and had 16 disposals to go with his haul of goals.

In his first AFL match since round six and just his third for the season, Hodge was subbed from the game at three-quarter-time.

"I felt pretty good out there," Hodge said post-match.

"If one of the boys had have got injured, I would have been able to keep playing that last quarter.

"It's obviously going to be a little while before I'll be able to play full games in the midfield, but we've still got five games to go.

"Touch wood, I can get through all the games and be fit for finals."

Hodge said it was likely he would also spend time at half-back in the coming weeks, and may also start some games as the substitute.

But he said being re-introduced as a forward had been perfect.

"You can dictate up forward where you're moving, if you need a rest here and there," Hodge said.

"If you're playing down back, I guess you've got to follow what they do."

Clarkson said the successful return of his skipper was even more pleasing than the thrashing of a bitter rival.

"That's not to say that we didn't want the four points, because it's obviously crucial to us, but … he's the captain of our club and he's been sorely missed," Clarkson said.

"It was beyond our wildest dreams that he'd kick five goals in his return game, so it panned out nicely for us.

"It doesn't always work out that way, but it did tonight, so we're very fortunate."