THE CAPTAIN of Hawthorn's 2008 premiership side Sam Mitchell says he's offered Luke Hodge some advice in the lead up to Saturday's Grand Final, but admits that the current skipper "doesn't need much".
Hodge has led the Hawks since taking over from Mitchell at the end of the 2010 season, after starring for the side in that 2008 Grand Final in a Norm Smith Medal winning performance.
Mitchell said he had discussed the Grand Final and the responsibilities it entailed for a captain, admitting there was a little more pressure on Hodge this time around.
But he added there was nothing the 28-year-old superstar couldn’t handle.
"There are a couple of extra things to do and a little bit of extra responsibility, but Hodgey's handled that well," Mitchell said.
"We had a good chat about it and [there's] nothing he won't take in his stride.
"We talk about a lot of things, so obviously anything to be expected that he might not have expected, we've had a bit of a chat about, but it's not rocket science, we're not breaking information that's going to help him much.
"I just give him a little bit of help, but he doesn't need much."
Hodge said he hadn't noticed much difference at all in his build up to Saturday's game compared to 2008, other than the weather.
While players enjoyed the Grand Final parade in 2008 bathed in sunshine, on Friday they waved to fans from inside the vehicles as rain teemed down.
Several betting agencies have shortened the Sydney Swans' odds of winning on Saturday due to the wet weather, but Hodge said his players were also looking forward to the slippery conditions.
"The only difference to 2008 has been the weather, the good old Melbourne weather has turned out for us," he said.
"It's good - brings me back to my country days growing up. I know a lot of the boys are looking forward to playing in the wet."
"Obviously it is a little bit of an interruption to your preparation, but as soon as this is done you just switch on for the game."
The skipper was dismissive of his health concerns, just a week after a bout of gastro forced him to miss Hawthorn's narrow five-point win over Adelaide in the preliminary final.
Hodge couldn't even attend the game he was so sick, reportedly losing 2kg.
But in typical Luke Hodge fashion, he declared himself as right as the rain expected to soak the MCG on Saturday.
"I feel really good, trained this week and felt really good on the track."
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media.
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