WHETHER you're an opponent or teammate, it's often painful to be in Luke Hodge's way during an AFL match.

The morning after their nail-biting preliminary final win over Port Adelaide, Hawthorn on-baller Liam Shiels was sporting a crooked nose and a black eye courtesy of his captain.

"I'd love to say I was doing something courageous, but Hodgey just got me with the left hook when he tried to tackle," Shiels said.

"It (his nose) is busted up - he did a good job with it."

Shiels suffered the injury at the start of the last term.

While he noted it is not the ideal way to start Grand Final week, he is in no doubt for next Saturday's clash against the Sydney Swans.

It was a doubly uncomfortable last quarter for Shiels, given he had to leave the field late in the game and could do nothing to help his teammates.

Port roared back from 29 points behind early in the final quarter to nearly achieve a miracle win.

"I was on the bench for the last four minutes," Shiels said.

"I was very nervous watching - we just couldn't seem to find a composed possession.

"It felt like they had an extra number out there.

"We were lucky to get the win in the end."