Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge will try to convince coach Alastair Clarkson this week that he is fit to line up in Friday night’s important AFL clash with Essendon.
And he is likely to get solid support from 2008 premiership skipper Sam Mitchell, who on Monday described Hodge as in a “vibrant” mood after a hit-out in the VFL last Saturday.
Hodge reportedly suffered normal muscle soreness from lack of matches after the game but there was no issue with his troublesome left knee.
“He’s certainly a chance,” Mitchell said. “He’s putting his hand up to say that if they can find a role for him that he’s able to play.
“I think he’s pulled up pretty well and is feeling pretty good.
“But it’s a management issue – at Etihad on Friday night in a big game and a hard ground, whether that’s the best preparation for him or whether it’s better to have another week running around at (VFL club) Box Hill.”
Mitchell said Hodge and injured forward Lance Franklin would regain their spots in the team as soon as they had proved their fitness but said in the meantime the club had several options.
“We’ve probably got about 30 guys who are capable AFL players right now and they’re all fit and firing and ready to go.”
Despite Hawthorn’s 47-point win over grand final contender Collingwood, Mitchell denied that the Hawks’ form was peaking too early.
“Our form line has been okay,” Mitchell said. “I don’t think we’re playing our absolute best footy, although we did play very well on the weekend. We’ve still got some improvement left.
“Externally, you probably look at how we’re playing and that way we’re going about it and think ‘they’re going okay, they won’t be doing too much.'”
“Internally, we’re still furiously trying to find better ways to play and better ways to score and better ways to try and stop the opposition from scoring,” he said.