AFL
43 minutes ago
What to expect from son of superstar Hawk
By SEN
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Hawthorn’s next generation is upon us, with Cooper Hodge – son of club and AFL legend Luke – set to join the club in next week’s AFL National Draft.
A 183cm mid-forward, Hodge will rep the very brown and gold his father donned 305 times, with night two of the National Draft expected to field a father-son bid that the Hawks will undoubtedly match.
Coming through the Brisbane Lions Academy, Cooper Hodge has evolved into a player that could well mirror father Luke. A hard-nosed midfielder, Hodge captained the Lions’ Academy side through his junior years before nominating the Hawks amid his 18th year.
Featuring three times for the Allies in 2026, Hodge averaged just under 16 disposals and five tackles a game as a defensive midfielder, with averages over 20 touches across seven games for the Lions.
Draft expert Kevin ‘Shifter’ Sheehan believes that the son of Hawthorn’s two-time Norm Smith Medallist will succeed his superstar father adequately.
“He had a great development year. Fantastic,” Sheehan told SEN Afternoons.
“I love something I read about him recently - he talked about revolving his game on Josh Dunkley. I reckon that's the perfect way to look at him just at the minute.
“A competitive beast, gets in around stoppages in the midfield and tackles aggressively, wins his own ball and he's added that burst away from stoppage this year to his game.
“He could play as a medium forward as well because of that tackling pressure he brings, and very, very happy with his leadership. He captained the Lions Academy.
“Because of Luke and the Hawthorn bit he had the choice and chose Hawthorn to finish as the place he'd love to go - he just he had those early images of being the little boy that was going through the banner with dad as Hawthorn had that great era.
“He was emotionally attached to the Hawks and has chosen there, and he will play some footy alright!”
Hawthorn enters the 2026 National Draft with picks 29, 37, 71 and 94, with a bid not expected until night two.
“Now the bid could come later, I'd say maybe outside of the main 40 or 50, but later on,” Sheehan said.
“I loved his progression this year and loved the way he goes about it. He will get everything out of himself.
“He showed good speed too when tested at the state combine, he was quite sharp over the 20 metres and has a good tank to boot.”
The National Draft kicks off on Thursday, November 19th, with the second round and beyond commencing on Friday the 20th.
Listen to Shifter's full draft chat below:
