The retirement of a former Hawthorn premiership captain appears to be short lived.
Following 305 games at the Hawks, Luke Hodge is set to make a shock return with the Gold Coast Suns, having only retired less than a fortnight ago.
SEN news breaker Sam McClure says Suns CEO and former Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans has personally contacted Hodge to gauge his interest in a role similar to his former teammate Sam Mitchell at West Coast, which could see him playing for the club, before heading into coaching.
“It’s my understanding Mark Evans has made personal contact with Luke Hodge over a position, which may involve him coming out of retirement and playing for at least a season,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“He may or may not take up the offer, but it’s believed he is seriously considering it. He thought his days were over and he’s reconsidering what to do.
“People will deny this and I know Hodgey is finishing a book over the next week, he’s due to start in the media next season.
“He was also asked to be a part of the coaching selection panel, but the five man panel was confirmed over the weekend.”
On Friday, Gold Coast announced their selection panel to appoint their new coach, led by Evans, with Marcus Ashcroft, Neil Craig, Simon Garlick and Matti Clements forming the rest of the group.
Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon said Hodge would be a perfect addition to improve the culture at a club he describes as “rudderless” on-field.
“All I know is that club appears to me to be rudderless, in terms of strong on-field discipline, not off-field, (but) on-field,” he said.
“They’ve got prodigiously talented kids who I’m told have yet to embrace the necessary professionalism required at this level, and whilst the Gold Coast is a nice place to be it doesn’t always engender the atmosphere that is need at this level.
“I don’t think it would matter (if he was made captain), I’m happy to have Steven May and Tom Lynch remain captain, but I’d make him assistant coach.
“Mark Evans would know intimately what Luke Hodge brings to a football club. On and off the field, so it absolutely ticks boxes for me. You would have a better culture there within two months.”