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Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge told to play the AFL Grand Final but could miss child's birth

Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge told to play the AFL Grand Final but could miss child's birth

The wife of Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge has told the Aussie Rules star he must play in the 2012 AFL Grand Final, even if it means missing the birth of his second child, reports News Ltd.

"She said I'm not putting up with 20 years of you whinging about not playing in a grand final," Hodge said of his wife, Lauren.

"Lauren said there's no way in hell you're going to miss the grand final."

After missing last weekend's preliminary final against Adelaide due to illness, many eyes have been on Hodge as speculation continues over whether he will play the big decider or not.

According to Hawthorn and Hodge himself, he is fit again, but the virus he has had to recover from was not just a sniffle.

"I couldn't get out of bed. I was going from freezing to sweats and had come down with a fever. The biggest thing I knew I couldn't play when I couldn't stomach anything for the 24 hours leading into the game," Hodge said.

"I was in quarantine away from these boys for three or four days and, hopefully, it all goes well this week."

Hawthorn fans will await news of final teams on Saturday morning before the Grand Final, where the Hawks will aim to win the flag against the Sydney Swans.