Hawthorn champion Luke Hodge has announced that he will retire at season's end after 16 seasons as a one-club player. The four-time premiership player — including three as captain — has collected a range of accolades throughout his career. The 33-year old dual Norm Smith medallist, dual Peter Crimmins medallist and triple All Australian announced his retirement on Monday, five days ahead of his 300th game against Geelong on Saturday, at the MCG. The former Hawks skipper is still yet to consider whether he will pursue a role in the media, coaching or look elsewhere post-2017. Hodge announced his retirement during a press conference that was initially planned to discuss his 300th game, where the Hawthorn veteran stated that he didn't want to play another season if it mean that he would take the spot that a younger player could have. "After the end of the season, I'll be hanging up the boots," Hodge told reporters on Monday alongside coach Alastair Clarkson. "It's probably a decision we've been pretty clear on for a while ... I think it's the best thing for the footy club and myself. "I'm still loving football. I still really enjoy it. My body feels good, but ... if I play on next year, I'll be taking the spot of a younger guy and, as a senior bloke, I'd never want to do that." Clarkson reflected on the time Hodge missed a training session back in 2005 after a big weekend celebrating his 21st birthday. That same season also saw Hawthorn's elite performance manager Andrew Russell describe Hodge as "the most unprofessional person he's seen". Hodge had copped a one-week ban for the incident, but Clarkson believed that it was a turning point in his growing maturity and professionalism. "I think the journey since then has been first-class, and that's why he's got to 300 games," Clarkson said. "Those people in the back of the room who see him every day; they would say he's put more time and effort into his body the last four or five years than any other player on our list. "That's one thing Andrew Russell is enormously proud of; that he's been able to have the influence on him to enable him to have longevity and durability in his career. "He's benefited from that, but so has our footy club enormously, because otherwise he might have got to 200 games and that might have been it." In 2015, Hodge was charged with drinking and driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.068, but he stated that instead of dwelling on the "stupid error", he has used it as an opportunity to learn. "There are certain things you'd like not to happen, but I'm a big believer if you make mistakes, you learn from your mistakes," Hodge said. "If you went through life and a career and haven't made many mistakes, I reckon it would be a pretty boring career or life. "The life lessons I've learned through a lot of people here at the footy club (were invaluable). "A lot of people have moved to other clubs and moved onto other jobs, but it's been something I've really enjoyed. Footy is a rollercoaster ride, but I tell you what, we've had some really good times here. "We're probably lucky enough that every 10 years there will be four opportunities to come back as a group and celebrate what we've achieved as a footy club." Luke Hodge will play his 300th game against Geelong at the MCG, at 1:45pm on Saturday.
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The Match Review Panel has assessed each match of round 16 and laid the following charges.
Western Bulldogs defender Easton Wood has been charged with striking Adelaide Crows forward Mitch McGovern. The incident occurred during the first quarter of the clash between the Crows and the Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval, last Friday. The incident was assessed as "intentional conduct with low impact to the body". It is Wood's third classifiable offence this season, classifying the incident as a one-match sanction with an early plea. Adelaide Crows captain Taylor Walker has been charged with misconduct against Western Bulldogs defender Jason Johanissen. The incident occurred during the third quarter of the match stated above. This is Walker's first offence for misconduct, which is classified as a $1500 sanction. He can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea. Hawthorn defender Luke Hodge has been charged with engaging in rough conduct against Giants forward Jeremy Cameron. The incident occurred during the second quarter of the clash between Hawthorn and the Giants at the University of Tasmania Stadium, last Saturday. The incident was assessed as "careless conduct with low impact to the head". This is Hodge's second classifiable offence, which is classified as a $2500 sanction. He can accept a $1500 sanction with an early plea. Collingwood forward Levi Greenwood has been charged with engaging in rough conduct against Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett. The incident occurred during the third quarter of the clash between the Magpies and the Bombers at the MCG, last Saturday. The incident was assessed as "careless conduct with medium impact to the head". The incident is classified as a two-match sanction, but because Greenwood does not have an applicable record that can impact the penalty, he can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea. Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has been charged with striking St Kilda forward Jack Lonie. The incident occurred during the first quarter of the clash between the Saints and the Tigers at Etihad Stadium, last Saturday. The incident was assessed as "intentional conduct with low impact to the body". This is Cotchin's second classifiable offence, which is classified as a $2500 sanction. He can accept a $1500 sanction with an early plea. St Kilda forward Tim Membrey has been charged with striking Richmond defender Dylan Grimes. The incident occurred during the second quarter of the match stated above. The incident was assessed as "careless conduct with high impact to the head". The incident was classified as a three-match sanction, but because Membrey does not have an applicable record that can impact the penalty, he can accept a two-match sanction with an early plea. North Melbourne defender Robbie Tarrant has been charged with striking Fremantle forward Shane Kersten. The incident occurred during the fourth quarter of the clash between the Kangaroos and the Dockers at Etihad Stadium, last Sunday. The incident was assessed as "careless conduct with low impact to the head". The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction, but because Tarrant does not have an applicable record that can impact the penalty, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea. West Coast Eagles forward Drew Petrie has been charged with engaging in rough conduct against Port Adelaide midfielder-forward Matt White. The incident occurred during the third quarter of the clash between the Eagles and the Power at Domain Stadium, last Sunday. The incident was assessed as "careless conduct with low impact to the head". The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction, but because Petrie does not have an applicable record that can impact the penalty, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea. Ali Fahour has stepped down from his role as AFL diversity manager after copping a 14-week sanction for punching opponent Dale Saddington.
Due to the severity of the ban, Fahour automatically receives a lifetime ban from football, and AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said that Fahour's actions would not be tolerated in the AFL. "I'm not going to talk to (the specific incident) but as soon as I saw the incident, it was an incident that just can't be tolerated," McLachlan said. "It was clear that it was an act that we want eradicated from our game." The Northern Football League Tribunal hearing was held in Greensborough on Wednesday night, where it took more than two hours to determine the suspension Fahour would receive. "On the basis of the seriousness of the charge and the Tribunal sanction, I'll be standing down from my position in the AFL," Fahour said after the Tribunal hearing. "In this time I'll seek professional help for my behaviours." McLachlan stated that he understood how Fahour feels after the incident, but wants to send a message to players that such actions would not be tolerated. "As Ali himself said this week, there is no excuse or defence for his actions last weekend and he has expressed his shame and remorse, and I know that he feels this very deeply," McLachlan said. "The events of this week has sent a clear message that striking and punching at any level of our game is not acceptable. "Every football league across our country, and every player in our game, no matter at what level they are playing our sport have to understand there are clear expectations around on-field behaviour. There can be no exceptions. "Ali has accepted the outcome of the Tribunal and has resigned from a job that he cares deeply about." Dale Saddington wants Fahour to be charged for striking him, stating that he has had to miss work because of the lingering effects of his concussion. Victoria Police are now investigating the incident. Adelaide Crows v Western Bulldogs
Hawthorn v GWS Giants
Collingwood v Essendon
Sydney Swans v Gold Coast Suns
Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats
St Kilda v Richmond
North Melbourne v Fremantle
West Coast Eagles v Port Adelaide
Carlton v Melbourne
Melbourne midfielder Tom Bugg has been handed a six-game suspension after striking Sydney Swans defender Callum Mills last Friday night.
Bugg stated he was "very embarassed" by his actions and apologised to Mills and his Melbourne teammates for the incident. "I want to apologise to Callum Mills, his family, the Sydney Swans, the AFL and the wider community," Bugg said after the Tribunal hearing. "I'm standing here tonight very embarrassed by my actions. I fully accept the sanction that's been served. "I'm feeling very embarrassed and going forward I've got a lot of work to do to earn back the respect of my captains, my fellow players and my coaches." The incident occurred in the first four minutes of last Friday night's game, where Bugg struck Mills across the jaw. Mills fell to the ground and spent several seconds lying in shock. The young Swan left the field where he was given a concussion test and subsequently failed. The Match Review Panel assessed the incident as "intentional conduct with high impact to the head", and referred the incident directly to the Tribunal. Bugg said he had spoken to Mills and his apology had been accepted, but he had to work on earning back the respect of his leadership group and teammates. "My call to Callum was very genuine and to see if he was okay and if his family was travelling okay," Bugg said. "I'm really embarrassed by what I did on Friday night and I accept full responsibility for my actions. "I'm looking forward to just working over the next six weeks to earn back the respect from my club, players and everyone in the wider community." Bugg's representative Iain Findlay asked the Tribunal jury if they would consider a four-match sanction, as Bachar Houli's case was given the same assessment by the MRP. The jury consists of Wayne Henwood, Paul Williams and David Pittman. The player advocate asked for the jury to consider a five-match sanction, as a range of four to six matches seemed deserving because Bugg had showed remorse towards Mills and had apologised for the incident. Legal counsel of the AFL Nick Pane QC asked for the jury to consider a six-match sanction within a range of four to seven weeks. Tribunal chairman David Jones agreed with Pane, stating that the sanction would be appropriate for the penalty. Bugg was given the six-match suspension and won't be available for selection until round 22. |
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