Hodge returns to fighting weight

Updated September 27, 2012 16:51:59

Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge is back at his playing weight in time for Saturday's grand final.

Hodge, who missed last weekend's preliminary final win against Adelaide through illness, lost close to two kilograms of body weight because of his gastroenteritis.

But the Hawks say Hodge has trained strongly this week.

And he showed no ill effects as he led his team through an hour-long session in front of more than 10,000 fans at Waverley on Thursday.

"He lost a kilo or two but he's put that back on," Hawthorn director of coaching Chris Fagan said.

"Hodgey's had a good week on the track. He was back training with us on Monday and he's prepared in the same manner that everybody else has.

"As far as we're concerned he's fully recovered. There's been no signs to say otherwise."

The Hawks say they have no other injury or illness concerns going into the clash with Sydney, a team with whom they have duelled in two of the best matches of the home-and-away season.

Sydney beat the Hawks in round five in Launceston.

The Hawks can boast a recent win over the Swans, in which they rolled back a 38-point second quarter deficit to win by seven.

But Fagan disregarded any psychological edge as a result, or any stage-fright for those Hawks who were not part of the flag-winning team in 2008.

"All those games leading into the [grand final] were good for our preparation, but what happened in round 22 bears no relevance to what happens there," Fagan said.

"Half of our team haven't played in a grand final before, but it will be the best day of their lives.

"They've got about 10 or 11 team-mates who've been there before who will be a great help to them.

"But we've played in a lot of big games this year and last year, so they'll be ready for the challenge that's coming."

Wet weather, possible hail and low temperatures have been predicted for Saturday's match.

But conditions could not have been further from that at Waverley Park on Thursday, with warm, sunny weather enticing a huge crowd to pack every possible vantage point to watch the Hawks train.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, glen-waverley-3150

First posted September 27, 2012 16:43:37

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Eagles battle past fighting Tigers

Updated April 29, 2012 18:37:36

West Coast was made to work to defend its undefeated record with a pulsating 10-point victory over a gutted Richmond at Docklands on Sunday.

The Eagles led by as many as 26 points before half-time, but the Tigers fought back to take a thrilling four-point advantage early in the last quarter.

But the boys from the west replied to kick four of the next five majors, making Richmond pay for costly misses in front of goal with the game on the line.

Daniel Kerr was outstanding for the visitors in the crucial stages, finishing with 28 disposals while Matt Priddis had 24 including two match-winning goal assists deep in the forward line late in the match.

Forward Josh Kennedy struggled with an ankle injury but Jack Darling and Josh Hill filled the hole with four and three goals respectively.

Trent Cotchin led the Richmond response with 29 touches along with Dustin Martin's 26 disposals and two goals.

Despite putting his side into the lead after three-quarter time, Jack Riewoldt had a disappointing day, losing his composure with some wayward kicking with the pressure on.

The Tigers started well but the home side struggled to work the ball efficiently out of defence, allowing the Eagles to lead 5.3 (33) to 4.2 (26) at quarter-time.

West Coast brought substitute Adam Selwood onto the field for the second term for Mitch Brown (head knock), who was a late replacement for defender Eric McKenzie.

Kennedy limped off with an ankle injury as Richmond's Brad Miller levelled the scores at the 14-minute mark, while Deledio and Riewoldt also needed attention on the bench.

But West Coast still had plenty of height up forward as Darling and Dean Cox sparked a run of four successive goals, broken by a spectacular mark and goal from Riewoldt.

Miller's second goal left the Tigers trailing by 14 points at half-time, 11.6 (72) to 9.4 (58).

Kennedy returned in the third term with his left ankle re-strapped but had little influence as the Tigers outscored the Eagles three goals to one in that period to narrow the gap to two points.

With scores locked on 14.11 apiece at the 21-minute mark of the final term, Priddis produced another superb handball to set up Scott Selwood's goal to put the Eagles back in front by six points.

Five minutes later, Riewoldt from 25 metres and Deledio from outside the 50m arc, missed set shots which would have given the Tigers the lead.

A huge mark on the wing by Beau Waters with a minute left was followed by a late goal to Darling which sealed the result before a crowd of 28,464.

Port Adelaide host the Tigers next Sunday while West Coast is at home to North Melbourne on the same day.

Eagles: 16.11 (107) - J Darling 4, J Hill 3, C Masten 2, Q Lynch 2, A Hams 2, S Selwood, D Cox, J Kennedy.

Tigers: 14.13 (97) - B Miller 3, D Martin 2, D Jackson 2, T Vickery 2, J Riewoldt 2, I Maric, B Ellis, T Ctochin.

ABC/AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, richmond-3121, vic, australia, perth-6000, wa

First posted April 29, 2012 18:08:55

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Suns go down fighting to the Cats

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Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Broadcast: 29/05/2011

The Gold Coast Suns opened strongly against Geelong in their new stadium but the Cats had too much experience.

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