Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge is hopeful he will be fit for Friday night’s AFL grand final rematch against Fremantle.

The star utility hurt his groin in the third quarter of Friday night’s nailbiting win over Essendon and was subbed out of the game.

Hodge struggled with injury two seasons ago, but was back to top form last year as he led the Hawks to the premiership.

“I guess it comes down to how it is throughout training,” he told Nova FM.

“It’s round three so we won’t be taking any risks.

“We are not going to make a call until later in the week.”

Hodge added he had pulled up better than he expected from the injury.

“I was still able to run 30-40m in a straight line … but it was the agility, sideways turning action (where) I could feel it a bit more,” he said.

“It was a good thing, thet fact I was still able to run straight, so it can’t be too bad.

“As far as the last two days it has been a bit tender but better than I thought it would be.”

The Hawks host the Dockers at the MCG.