New Brisbane recruit Luke Hodge has said that joining a side as youthful as the Lions is the perfect way to add new life into his experienced legs.
The 33-year-old, 305 game veteran completed his first pre-season session as a Lion on Monday and left the ground buzzing due the enthusiasm that his new teammates possessed with the majority of them being within the first four years of their careers.
“First thing as we walked out on the track was just how energetic the young guys are,’’ the four-time premiership player said.
“Where I’ve come from has been an older group. Sometimes you need the young guys to push the vibe of the place and running out there, the atmosphere was great.
“The excitement of the young guys, being an old fella, is exactly what you need.’’
During the session Hodge partnered with captain Dayne Beams, who told Chris Fagan how surprised he was about how well he had ran.
The former Hawk has been recruited by the Lions as an on-field coach with the expectation that he will play between 15 and 17 games of the home and away season with a tailored training program like all veterans.
“Fages (Fagan) aimed for 15 or 17 games, but it all depends on the body, if I get to round 18 and I’ve played 16 games I’m not going to stop playing.’’