Injured Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge has been ruled out of Friday night’s AFL grand final rematch against Fremantle at the MCG.

Hodge did all his could to prove he had recovered from a groin injury but coach Alastair Clarkson said it wasn’t worth risking him so early in the season.

The Hawks got some good news with veteran midfielder Sam Mitchell set to play.

Hodge missed the team’s final training session while Mitchell looked free of his calf injury.

“He’s got a pretty minor ailment that he’s been banging the door down trying to tell us that he’s OK,” Clarkson said of his captain.

“We’re better off just taking the week because it’s just too early in the season to take risks.”