Hodge was a master communicator, particularly in defence when instructing his fellow defenders where to set up at stoppages and centre bounces.

Blake Hardwick, one of this season's Rising Star nominees, said he had learnt the importance of instruction from the retired four-time premiership star.

"It was probably showing us how much we need to talk and always be yelling at each other out on the field. He was the best at that," he said.

"It was communicating and leadership on the field. He knows when to be positive and negative, and telling you what you are doing [well] and what you are doing wrong."

Hardwick was one of several players who had their careers transformed this year. While Hardwick was only in his second year, he had been a star small forward as a junior, and was employed in that role in his rookie year with the Hawks. That changed last summer when coach Alastair Clarkson said he would play in defence, where his dash and good ball use could be utilised.

He would play 19 senior games this year, and emerge alongside Ryan Burton, the runner-up in the Rising Star voting who was drafted as a forward, and James Sicily and Jack Gunston, also former forwards, as key components in the defensive 50.

"To be honest, at the start of the year I didn't have a huge expectation to play that many games. To play some consistent footy and stay in the side was good," Hardwick said.

"If you had of told me this time last year I was playing back line ... I probably would have laughed."

Hardwick said the feedback from Clarkson had been positive at his season-ending exit interview.

"It was mainly that he was pretty happy with me down back. I will probably stay there," he said.

Hodge has urged the team's younger players to seek the counsel of their elder brethren and coaches to help fast-track their development.

"A lot of it comes to the younger players. Whether you are in the first or second year, you need to initiate the conversation with an older person because they will drop everything to help you and get you to be a better footballer," he said.

Hardwick said he had been like a sponge around the three-time premiership skipper.

"I just tried to make the most of my time playing with Hodgey. I tried to learn as much as I could off him," he said.

"At the same time, he had a great career. We have the younger boys coming through now. Hopefully, no one has to step up and play as big a role as Hodgey but if everyone can put in equally - we'll see how we go."

Having missed September action for the first time since 2009, the challenge for the Hawks will be to return to the finals next year without Hodge and Josh Gibson, the latter hurt for most of this year, patrolling defensive 50.

"There are a lot of younger boys. It's funny - half of the boys down back were originally forwards going to the club. It's good to have some youth down there, it makes you more comfortable," he said.

Veteran Grant Birchall, restricted to five games this year, will return from injury and provide run and nous across half-back, while full-back James Frawley, restricted to eight games, will also be a valuable inclusion.

"It will definitely help to have some experience back in the side," Hardwick said.