Hawthorn great Luke Hodge will finish his decorated AFL playing career in Brisbane and test the coaching the waters at the same time.

The Hawks received pick No.75 for Hodge, who backtracked on retirement plans to sign a two-year deal with the Lions.

A four-time premiership winner with Hawthorn, the 33-year-old Hodge is the third No.1 draft selection to move clubs during the trade period along with Bryce Gibbs and Jack Watts.

Player manager Robbie D’Orazio said it was a win for both Hodge and the Lions.

“I won’t go into the ins and outs of that but Hodgey is happy to go to Brisbane and we’ve got some good young players at Brisbane who are really excited,” D’Orazio said.

“I think it’s a great story for footy that Hodgey gets to play another two years.”

Hodge said Lions coach Chris Fagan, who spent nine years with him at Hawthorn in various roles, sowed the seed to play on.

Hodge likened his role at Brisbane to that of an on-field coach.

“Playing with Brisbane is not about being best-on-ground or getting a heap of the ball, it is all about developing these kids to be the best players they can be as soon as possible,” Hodge told PlayersVoice.

“I’d enjoyed a similar role with Hawthorn this season, which had helped fuelled my interest in the teaching side of the game and obviously, by extension, coaching.”

He revealed that Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson offered him another year but the former captain felt it would stifle the club’s development.