Luke Hodge wasn’t surprised by Daniel Rich and Jack Gunston’s decisions to stand themselves down from playing due to poor form.
While Hodge wasn’t critical of the pair’s form, he wasn’t shocked as he says those conversations happen all of the time inside AFL clubs.
Given the pair have dealt with injury concerns and are both over the age of 30, Hodge believes the pair made a smart call to step aside and get fully fit as now is the best time to prime themselves for a finals campaign.
“That's where footy has come to and that's where a lot of people outside the walls go, ‘Oh, how about this?’,” Hodge told SENQ Breakfast.
“But I think inside the four walls of a footy club, these conversations happen regularly, especially when you're over 30.
“The Lions on the weekend had three guys over 30, Jack (Gunston), Daniel (Rich) and Lachie (Neale).
“I think when players get to that age, normally football can catch up on you if you're not fully fit.
“Rich has had a few calf issues, Jack Gunston had a back operation in the pre-season last year at Hawthorn.
“So, it's a common conversation and if you're not feeling at the top of your game and you think leading into finals, this is the best time to have a bit of a break.
“They’ll have that mini preseason that we hear all the time, they'll have a three-week block where they get a bit of work in so they're cherry ripe for late August, early September, which that's when you really need your senior players to be fit and firing.
“It does sound weird because you don't hear of it much, but internally these conversations happen all the time.”
Given the duo’s goal will be to be at their best when the whips are cracking at the end of the season and into September, Hodge believes the veterans have given themselves the best chance to perform at their best when they next return to the line-up.
“I think players, especially when you get older, the pride that you have for your performance and your expectation you have on yourself, let alone the team and your supporters (is huge),” Hodge said.
“You want to play well every week and if your body's not letting you do that (it is frustrating).
“The most important thing is about your performance on the weekend, but backing up training on a Monday and Tuesday - these guys haven't been able to do that because of their body and that happens when you get a little bit older.
“With the stress and the rollercoaster ride of a week-to-week football schedule, they'll sit back and go, ‘Well my goal isn't at the end of this week to play, my goal is in three weeks that I'm fit and firing and ready to perform’.
“Both of them have played over 200 games, both of them have had over a 10-year career, we expect a lot from them and so do they of themselves.”
Rich was criticised by David King for taking ‘shortcuts’ with his defensive efforts but Hodge – who defended similarly in the later stage of his career - feels that’s the best way for the 33-year-old to compete given his age and lack of athleticism.
While the Lions will be without two senior leaders, Hodge says the club won’t be phased due to the strength of their reserves side which currently hold a 9-1 record in the VFL.
“I wouldn't say shortcuts,” Hodge said.
“I was the same, Richie is not the most athletic bloke and what you do across in defence is you try and cut angles to try and make up for your leg speed or fitness.
“This happens all the time, but the thing is when you lose games, people look for it.
“The best part is when you identify it in June, or May or July, you can always have a bit of time to work on it, work on your fitness and get that out of your game.
“One thing about the Brisbane Lions is their seconds sit on top of the ladder in the VFL.
“So, they've got a lot of players who can come up and fill that void while these guys get fit.”
With Rich and Gunston out, Brisbane were forced into four changes for their Friday night clash against Sydney at the Gabba.