Hawks’ Hodge hangs on to captaincy

Luke Hodge has no plans to relinquish the Hawthorn captaincy anytime soon despite his recent run of trouble on the field and off.

Hodge was caught drink-driving last Thursday night but the Hawks’ leadership group believed a fine from the AFL club was sufficient rather than missing Friday night’s AFL preliminary final against West Coast.

He had already been fined $450 and lost 10 demerit points.

The 31-year-old had already missed the Hawks’ last two games of the regular season through his suspension for rough conduct in bumping Port Adelaide’s Chad Wingard.

There have been some calls for Hodge to step down as skipper because of the indiscretions.

But Hodge said any decision about his captaincy wouldn’t be made on what had happened over the past few weeks.

“I’ve been captain of the side for five years … and there’s things put in place for the last 12 or 18 months for the next person to come through.

“What we’re focusing on in the next four weeks is a big finals campaign and then whatever happens, happens.

“What’s happened in the last 48 hours or last three weeks isn’t going to determine that.”

Hodge said he still wanted to be captain next season – and as long as it was the best thing for the club.

While remorseful for his actions, he didn’t feel like he owed his teammates after missing games and then drink-driving.

“Every time I step on the field for the Hawthorn footy club I give everything I have.

“I’ve done that for 14 years and I will continue to do it for at least next year anyway so I can’t give any more.”

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