HAWTHORN great Luke Hodge has reflected on Trent Croad's selfless act as an AFL player, with the pair bonded by more than just the 2008 premiership. 

Croad broke his foot during the Hawks' stunning Grand Final upset over Geelong, an injury that would ultimately end his career.

But before leaving the field for the final time, Croad laid a bump on Cats youngster Joel Selwood in one last attempt to help his teammates.

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"I think it says a little bit about him that even though he was in all sorts with his foot, his last thought on a football field was to try and do something to help his teammates," Hodge said in the third episode of AFL.com.au's three-part documentary series Superdraft.

The moment carried even greater significance given the winding journey Croad and Hodge had taken to become flag teammates.

Seven years earlier, Croad, along with Luke McPharlin, was traded to Fremantle as part of the blockbuster deal that delivered the Hawks the No.1, 20 and 36 picks in the 2001 draft.

The Hawks used the prized first selection on Hodge, while No.36 landed them future Hall of Famer and current coach Sam Mitchell.

Croad eventually found his way back to Hawthorn two years later, and he and Hodge developed a close friendship.

"Once he came back and we become mates, he said, 'I was happy that it was you and now I'm back playing with you'," the four-time premiership player and triple All-Australian said.

Hodge famously carried broken ribs into the Grand Final, with his availability for the decider initially uncertain.

"He just said, 'Don't talk about it to me. I'm preparing to play, I'm playing, and that's what I'm doing'," then-Hawthorn high performance manager Andrew Russell said.

Geelong was the competition powerhouse heading into the match, having lost only one game for the season.

But Hodge said the belief inside the Hawks' rooms never wavered.

"No one probably gave us any chance, apart from the guys in the room," he said.

It was a close contest to half-time before coach Alastair Clarkson made several changes that would swing the game in Hawthorn's favour.

A six-goal burst in the third quarter proved decisive, with the Hawks going on to win by 26 points in one of the great Grand Final upsets, and Hodge finishing with the first of two Norm Smith medals around his neck.

"To be able to play the game that he played on that day with broken ribs, it's one of the greatest moments that I've been part of and seen in AFL football," Russell said.

Be among the first to watch the debut episode of Superdraft at our launch event on Monday, November 16 at Marvel Stadium. Cal Twomey and Riley Beveridge will bring a special live episode of Gettable to the stage and Nat Edwards will also hosts a live Q&A with special guests including Dermott Brereton, Paul Connors and Caroline Wilson.