Three-time premiership captain Luke Hodge has named the best player he played with or against across his 346-game career.
Having played 305 of those games for Hawthorn with several superstars across their four premierships in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015 before moving to Brisbane where the side finished second on the ladder in his last season, Hodge was a key member of several dominant teams.
While he played with his fair share of guns in his time in the AFL, Hodge says former Hawthorn teammate and current Sydney forward Lance Franklin was “hands down’ the best of the lot.
Hodge spoke glowingly of the 36-year-old ahead of his 350th game this weekend against St Kilda.
“Big Bud, it’s an amazing effort (to play 350 games),” Hodge told SENQ Breakfast.
“It’s his 19th season, he’s averaged over 19 games a season for 19 years.
“He has just been so durable, for a person when I first saw him rock up (at Hawthorn) he was a skinny bean, he was probably about 80 kilos ringing wet.
“What he’s been able to, the athleticism he had for a bloke that grew into 105 kilos, he’s kicked some of the goals I’ve seen throughout my career watching.
“I’ve got him without a doubt the best that I’ve played with and against, without a doubt.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with Sam Mitchell, Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead, (Josh) Gibson, Lachie Neale, Charlie Cameron and these blokes.
“But Bud is hands down the top of that tree.”
With 2023 all but certain to be Franklin’s last as an AFL player, Hodge was asked whether he feels Sydney will chase a star key forward from a rival club as his replacement from 2024 onwards.
“They’ve got Amartey who has been on the list for a while,” Hodge said.
“He looked really good early in the year until he did his hamstring and they’ve also got Logan McDonald who was a top four pick three or four years ago.
“Sydney are always the team that goes and gets the big key forward for 10 years.
“They went and got Lockett – who was unreal for them, they went and got Barry Hall and then they got Buddy who has kicked over 1000 goals in his career.
“So, there’s no doubt they’re chasing for that next big fish.”
Franklin has kicked 1057 goals from his 349 games so far, putting him fourth on the all-time list for AFL/VFL goalkickers.
The bounce for his 350th game against St Kilda at the SCG is set for 7.10 pm (AEST) on Thursday.