PRIMED: Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge looks set to take on West Coast. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
COURAGEOUS Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge flew into Perth a day before his teammates in the expectation he could be called on for a full game against West Coast.
Hawthorn said the practise was a usual occurrence for Hodge, who had his first competitive hitout since off-season knee surgery with VFL outfit Box Hill last week.
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He was joined on the Friday night flight by defender Brent Guerra.
Hawks assistant coach Adam Simpson was coy when asked if Hodge would don the subs vest today, but insisted the side would not play its captain if he was unable to see out a full game.
"I can't tell you that (if Hodge will wear the sub's vest), but we haven't made a decision yet to be honest," Simpson said.
"We'll talk tonight, we'll have a look at what the weather's going to be like tomorrow and how we pull up from training, the flight, all those sorts of things.
"We can't afford to take anyone into a game in that sense (managing their workload), even as a sub, because if you have an injury in the first few minutes, they've got to play a full game.
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"I don't think any club has that philosophy anymore, it's, 'Is he right to play a full game?'
"Then the sub is more based on the dynamics of the side."
Hodge yesterday appeared unrestricted throughout a brief training session at Patersons Stadium, with his knees unstrapped as he bounced through full-ground transition and kicking drills.
The addition of Hodge to the Hawks is a contrast to the situation at the Eagles, with the side lining up today minus key defender Eric Mackenzie (hamstring) and goalsneak Mark LeCras (arm), the latest in a line of injuries ravaging West Coast's key players.
Hawthorn has faced its own tumultuous start to the season, enduring the ongoing Lance Franklin contract saga, while having former president Jeff Kennett call for the sacking of coach Alastair Clarkson after a Round 1 loss to perennial foe Geelong.
Fans yesterday turned out in force to Patersons Stadium to show their support and Simpson said the distractions had not affected the players in any way.
"I honestly haven't seen any difference in the players, with both the Kennett thing and Buddy's contract," he said.
"They're a pretty mature group and accepted it a long time ago, about what Buddy's going through, and they've just moved on.
"I can't see anyone who's acted any differently towards Clarko or Lance, it's just been business as usual."
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