AFL 2025: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell on Cooper Hodge
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell doesn't want to add to any pressure already facing former teammate Luke Hodge's teenage son Cooper but labelled him a 'nice talent' after seeing him train at Waverley earlier this week.
Cooper Hodge, 16, spent time at the club his famous father led to three premierships before heading back to Brisbane, where he lives, having caught the eyes of plenty with a big decision looming.
The teenager is an obvious father-son candidate for Hawthorn, but also is in the Brisbane academy and should he decided to enter next year's draft would have to decide which club to align himself to.
Mitchell liked what he saw from Cooper, who is playing senior football in Queensland this weekend, buit refrained from entering any discussion about a possible AFL future.
'He's getting a game in the seniors at the moment, so he had to go back up to Brissy to make sure he holds his spot, they've got training tonight,' he said.
'He was with us for a few days, which was great. We've got Mark Williams' young lad out here today.
Cooper Hodge plays for the Brisbane Lions Academy during the AFL National Championships. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
'It's great when we can see some of our father sons come down and have a run around with the boys.
'I think the thing with a guy like Coop is he's still a young man and because of his dad's fame and accolades there's a lot more pressure on him.
'The last thing I want to do is add anything to that. He was great, he is a really energetic kid, (but) he's quiet, respectful and goes about his business.
'He wants to learn, he's going to be a nice talent.'
Mitchell's focus however is on the present with their campaign to finish in the top-four facing a stern test against Fremantle on Saturday in Perth.
The Hawks are having to plough on without Josh Weddle who was storming away to a top finish in the Hawks' best and fairest count before going down with a stress fracture in his back.
His timeline on Hawthorn's injury list remains 'to be confirmed' and he could very well miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
But Mitchell says the improved and versatile Weddle is using the stint on the sidelines as a chance to advance his game and is confident he will return a better player as a result.
'At the four-week mark he'll get a scan and then you'll either rule him out for the season or say, 'We're a chance here, let's see what we can do',' he said.
Hawthorn star Josh Weddle could come back from injury a better player, according to coach Sam Mitchell. Picture:'It's very easy to focus on who's not there … if you're going to lose Josh Weddle to bring in James Sicily, we'll take that and not worry too much about it.
'Any good learning for Wedds, he sat in the coaches' box and he's looking at vision – he'll be a better player when he comes back.
'Hopefully, it's this year, if not, when he comes back he'll have a greater game understanding than when he left.'
Originally published as AFL 2025: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says there's no pressure on Cooper Hodge to choose a club
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