TonyK
CibbuanoHodge will play: Clarkson
September 21st 2008 00:44
HAWTHORN vice-captain will play in Saturday’s grand final against Geelong despite coughing up blood during the Hawks’ convincing win over St Kilda in the second preliminary final at the MCG on Saturday night, according to coach Alastair Clarkson.
Hodge copped a heavy knock late in the first term and then another early in the second term which forced him to leave the field briefly.
In between those two knocks, Hodge was coughing up blood at quarter-time yet played out the game as the Hawks cruised to a comfortable 54-point win.
Clarkson said despite the potentially serious nature of Hodge's injury, there was no way the 24-year-old will miss next Saturday’s decider against the Cats.
"I dare say because he (Hodge) is such a tough bugger and because he was able to finish the game he will be OK (for next week)," Clarkson said.
"I don't need to get any scans - he will play no matter what - and you would need to put him in handcuffs to stop him playing next week I reckon."
Hodge also downplayed the seriousness of his injury.
"There was just a little bit (of blood), not too much, but that is all right," he said.
"It was just a normal knock you get in football and I think you are making a bigger deal out of it than what it was and everyone cops them in a game."
"The first couple of minutes after it (both knocks) I thought this is not good but once I went off and had a drink and a bit of a breather there was no problems."
Meanwhile, Clarkson said there were no concerns over the fitness of star forward Lance Franklin, who hurt his hand in the first term and also left the field for treatment before playing out the game.
"He has had a grumbling hand for a while and at different stages he gets punched on it or marks the ball in an incorrect fashion and he just jars it a little bit but he will be fine," Clarkson said
Hodge copped a heavy knock late in the first term and then another early in the second term which forced him to leave the field briefly.
In between those two knocks, Hodge was coughing up blood at quarter-time yet played out the game as the Hawks cruised to a comfortable 54-point win.
Clarkson said despite the potentially serious nature of Hodge's injury, there was no way the 24-year-old will miss next Saturday’s decider against the Cats.
"I dare say because he (Hodge) is such a tough bugger and because he was able to finish the game he will be OK (for next week)," Clarkson said.
"I don't need to get any scans - he will play no matter what - and you would need to put him in handcuffs to stop him playing next week I reckon."
Hodge also downplayed the seriousness of his injury.
"There was just a little bit (of blood), not too much, but that is all right," he said.
"It was just a normal knock you get in football and I think you are making a bigger deal out of it than what it was and everyone cops them in a game."
"The first couple of minutes after it (both knocks) I thought this is not good but once I went off and had a drink and a bit of a breather there was no problems."
Meanwhile, Clarkson said there were no concerns over the fitness of star forward Lance Franklin, who hurt his hand in the first term and also left the field for treatment before playing out the game.
"He has had a grumbling hand for a while and at different stages he gets punched on it or marks the ball in an incorrect fashion and he just jars it a little bit but he will be fine," Clarkson said
| 40 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
