COOPER Hodge went with his gut, but it wasn't an easy decision. Brisbane the city has become his home, and Brisbane the football club has developed him into the footballer he is today. Yet Hawthorn is in his blood. And the 2014 Grand Final is etched into his memory. 

That was the day Luke Hodge's two oldest sons – Cooper and Chase – ran through the banner ahead of their dad’s 250th game, before he won his second Norm Smith Medal and his third premiership to cement his status as an all-time great.

When the time arrived to finally decide between nominating Hawthorn under father-son rules or Brisbane, where he is eligible as an Academy product, the 18-year-old knew he wanted to find out what it would be like to play for the club his dad played 305 games for.

"It was extremely hard because the Lions have done so much for me; they've put in a lot of time for me and I don't think I'd be in the position I am today without all their help, training with them throughout the year and just doing little stuff after trainings with them too, so it made the decision incredibly hard," Hodge told AFL.com.au. 

"I changed my mind pretty much every week for probably a good six months there, but I just had to come back to my gut feeling. And that was the first ten years of my life I was running out with Hawks; I had a connection with them pretty much since I was born. 

"And I felt like I just had to go back to that, running out with the Hawks in Dad's 250th in the Grand Final was pretty cool. I just wanted to give myself the best opportunity to relive that.

"I remember Chase out on the MCG in front of 100,000 and the cheer squad just started chanting 'Hodgey, Hodgey' and my brother turns to me and I was like, why are they saying our name? I feel like ever since then to be backed by all those supporters would be a pretty cool feeling I reckon."

Hawthorn holds picks No. 29, 37, 71 and 94 ahead of this month's Telstra AFL Draft and are expected to use their final pick on Hodge, but can't confirm that at this stage. 

Brisbane's three-peat has included Academy graduates Harris Andrews, Eric Hipwood, Jaspa Fletcher, Bruce Reville, Sam Marshall and Ty Gallop, while Will and Levi Ashcroft were father-son selections and Dan Annable was recruited last year. Hodge joined at 12 and progressed through the age groups at Brighton Homes Arena, trained with the AFL squad last pre-season and at different stages of 2026. 

The St Laurence's College student heard the noise that has increased around his decision since he was named in the under-15 All-Australian team, but says he didn’t feel pressured to choose Hawthorn and has grown used to playing football with a famous surname. 

"There definitely was some pressure at the start, but I feel like I've got used to it and I've come up with a few strategies along the way that have helped me cope. In the end it didn’t feel like there was too much pressure making a decision. But definitely at the start, there was definitely some," Hodge said.

"There's obviously going to be outside noise and obviously I feel like supporters will have their opinions and stuff, but I feel like you have to go with what's best in this situation for me and my footy

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"People have said to me, 'oh, Luke Hodge's son, you're only there because of that'. That has definitely driven me with football. I want to prove people wrong too, so I would say it has definitely driven me (to succeed)."

Hodge has modelled his game on Brisbane star Josh Dunkley. He loves his physicality in the contest, the way he defends first, supports his teammates and prepares behind the scenes. That is the blueprint for him. He knows his name will count for nothing when he arrives at the next level. He will have to earn every opportunity.

"I pride myself on being a hard worker," he said. "I know that work ethic is something that will take me where I want to go and wherever my career goes I'm going to give 100% in everything that I do."

That work ethic has extended away from football. Luke and Lauren Hodge have always encouraged Cooper - the eldest of four boys - to work, which he has always wanted to do. 

First he started a car washing business when he was 12. Then he painted houses, worked in catering at the Gabba, before his current role at a driving range near Brisbane Airport. 

"I'm that person who can't sit still, so I can't sit on the couch and do nothing. So when I was younger, I started up my own car washing business, then I painted houses. That then moved on to working at a City Beach warehouse, which then moved on to working at the Gabba for a bit. And then now at Golf Central," he said.

"Dad is very big on work for yourself; I feel like dad's the same. We can't sit still, we always have to be doing something. So any time where I can just take my mind away from footy or just do something else, I try to do that with work."

If things go to plan as expected on November 20, Hodge will soon be getting to work at a familiar club, albeit one now based in a different spot to Glenferrie Oval or Waverley Park, but one where he hopes to make his own name over the next decade.