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'One of the best': Tributes flow for retiring AFL great

Yahoo Sport Australia

Right to the end, Luke Hodge thrived most when the pressure was most intense.

The 35-year-old Brisbane defender confirmed his retirement minutes after the end of Saturday's epic semi-final against GWS.

Hodge was high among the Lions' best in the three-point loss and was cheered by Brisbane fans as the left the Gabba.

It was a brutal clash, taylor-made for one of the game's toughest players.

While he certainly looked like there is more football in him, Hodge told coach Chris Fagan in the rooms afterwards that his 346-game career was done.

Hodge's legend was already assured when he retired at the end of 2017 as a four-time Hawthorn premiership player and two-time North Smith Medallist.

But Fagan, who worked with Hodge for many years at the Hawks before moving north to coach the Lions, lured him north.

Fagan heaped praise on Hodge for what he has done at Brisbane on and off the field.

He added Hodge would stay at the club, in a role yet to be finalised.

Luke Hodge has brought the curtain down on an amazing AFL career.
AFL fans have hailed Luke Hodge after the veteran confirmed this season was his last. Pic: Getty

"He's finished on a high note and he's been unbelievable for us," Fagan said.

"He's a bit of a rascal, but mostly he's good - he's the best leader I've seen, one of the toughest players I've seen, he's a warrior, that's for sure," Fagan said.

"He's a really intelligent player, he sees the game as well as anyone I know - probably Sam Mitchell is his only equal.

"He's a giver of his time and knowledge ... there's no doubt the development of our team has been accelerated by his presence.

"No, the time has come, he's one of the all-time greats. More than anything, he's a good friend."

Fagan said Hodge had done a lot of work to prepare the young Lions leaders.

"That's the legacy he's left, he's worked so hard with the leadership group and the younger guys," Fagan said.

The much loved veteran was also shown an outpouring of support from fans after news of his retirement was confirmed.

Hodge is a certain AFL Hall Of Fame inductee and surely will also achieve official legend status.

He was the last of the famed three top picks from the 2001 draft still playing, with Chris Judd and Luke Ball also achieving premierships in their decorated careers.

With AAP