HAWTHORN will assess the severity of captain Luke Hodge's groin injury later on Monday, with the skipper no certainty to line up in the Grand Final rematch against Fremantle at the MCG on Friday night.
Hodge was substituted out of the game during the third quarter of the Hawks' thrilling four-point win over Essendon on Friday night.
Admitting the injured area was "tender", the Hawks skipper said he was unsure whether he would be cleared to play against the Dockers.
"It's round three so we won't be taking any risks. So we will assess it throughout the week. I'd love to play but we are not going to make a call until later in the week," Hodge told Melbourne radio station Nova 100 on Monday morning.
Hodge said the reason why he was subbed came down to his limited ability to change direction against the Bombers.
"It has actually pulled up quite well, better than I thought it was going to," Hodge said.
"It was a good thing the fact I was still able to run straight so it can't be too bad. As far as the last two days it has been a bit tender but better than I thought it would be."
