Hodge: No complacency at Hawthorn

FALLING short of finals action in 2009 continues to drive Hawthorn, according to four-time premiership player Luke Hodge.

After claiming a breakthrough premiership triumph against Geelong Cats in 2008, the Hawks missed the eight in 2009, which still motivates skipper Hodge and his team.

“You can’t win the premiership in October (pre-season), but you can certainly lose it,” Hodge told The Courier-Mail.

“We found that out the hard way a few years ago and we have never forgotten it.

“Back in ‘08, we didn’t come back with the right attitude and we had a disappointing year.”

The Hawks are currently preparing for their premiership defence with an intense 10-day training camp on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Hodge says the team’s attitude has changed dramatically following their 2009 campaign.

“Since then the guys have always reported back for pre-season in good order, knowing they have to reach targets with their skinfolds and time-trial ahead of a long and hard summer,” Hodge said.

Among the leaders is young gun Billy Hartung, who missed out on a grand final berth in 2015.

“Billy had his disappointment last year, but he came back and won our time-trial and has continued to be fantastic this season,” Hodge said.

“He represents that real hunger of the younger guys on our list. They want to have success and they keep pushing the more experienced players, which keeps our standards high.

“There is no complacency here because we will start the season on the same number of points as 17 other clubs.

“We are no different to any other side in that we want to improve in 2016.”