TonyK
CibbuanoHodge to miss up to a month
May 14th 2009 03:17
HAWTHORN vice-captain Luke Hodge will miss up to a month with a strained adductor that has hampered him for the past four weeks.
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said the club believed it was in Hodge's best interests to have a rest now and be fit for the second half of the home-and-away season.
"He's such a competitive bull and he wanted to do the right thing by the team and because we had so many other defenders out he tried to get through it," said Clarkson.
"But last week it was evident that he's lost that turn of speed that he needs to be at his best, so he's better off having a spell for a little while."
Clarkson confirmed Jarryd Morton and Brent Guerra would come into the side for Hodge and Cameron Stokes who has a hamstring strain.
Midfielder Chance Bateman looked set to join Hodge and Stokes on the sidelines earlier in week with a calf strain but Clarkson said the 27-year-old has recovered well and will most likely play against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Friday night.
"He's responded really well to treatment, he's trained the last couple of days and looks really good," he said.
"At this stage we're expecting him to play and he won't have to go through a fitness test tomorrow."
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said the club believed it was in Hodge's best interests to have a rest now and be fit for the second half of the home-and-away season.
"He's such a competitive bull and he wanted to do the right thing by the team and because we had so many other defenders out he tried to get through it," said Clarkson.
"But last week it was evident that he's lost that turn of speed that he needs to be at his best, so he's better off having a spell for a little while."
Clarkson confirmed Jarryd Morton and Brent Guerra would come into the side for Hodge and Cameron Stokes who has a hamstring strain.
Midfielder Chance Bateman looked set to join Hodge and Stokes on the sidelines earlier in week with a calf strain but Clarkson said the 27-year-old has recovered well and will most likely play against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Friday night.
"He's responded really well to treatment, he's trained the last couple of days and looks really good," he said.
"At this stage we're expecting him to play and he won't have to go through a fitness test tomorrow."
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