From the border to Melbourne

09/08/2022

Young midfielder Nick Hogdson talks about where he’s from, his time at the Zebras plus a whole lot more.

One of many recruits ahead of the 2022 season and hailing from the country town of Kyalite in NSW, Hodgson played in a Victoria country league but still went through NSW when he played at the state level.

“When I was 12 I grew up and played for state (footy), but it was all pretty rugby-based, there weren’t too many boys that played footy, it was more their second sport when I went up there when I was younger,” Hodgson said.

“It was very interesting going up there with Sydney being all NRL, but it was like they put that on the backburner so I was pretty amazed when I went up there (since) footy’s everything where I’m from. It was quite eye-opening.”

In preseason it was a rather unique trip for Hodgson from his hometown down to Sandringham.

“I was commuting at the start of January (when) we were training on a Monday, Wednesday & Saturday so I was commuting down on a Monday and then I'd drive back home that night and be home at about 1am.

“Then (I’d) do the same thing on Wednesday and then Saturday I would commute down on a Friday night and try and stay at someone’s house.

“I was crashing at a few people’s places to try and do training on the Saturday, drive back home and do it all again the next week. I did that for all of January and a fair bit of February”.

Currently he lives in Hawthorn, with his commute to training much easier. However he still enjoys it whenever he’s back home.

“Being out in the country I love the open space. Melbourne’s very (much) like a concrete jungle so it’s good to get out, go out to the farm, relax and have no noise, it’s flat out here in Melbourne. It’s a lot quieter back at home so it’s nice.”

Being in the country is not only peaceful for him, but a way to escape his troubles.

“You don’t have too many troubles when you’re out in the middle of nowhere; it’s you and the land in a way, which is good.”

So far he’s enjoyed his first season at VFL level as well as being guided by ex-AFL players such as Jake Batchelor, Ben Jacobs and Trent Dennis-Lane.

“The coaches like Ben Jacobs, Jake Batchelor, Trent Dennis-Lane (TDL) and Jimmy House (Housey) have all been really good in helping us and educating us more around the game and I’ve grown a lot more as a footballer doing that, which is good.”

So far he’s enjoyed connecting with new people, however his most enjoyable and unique experience was debuting in Round 1 against Casey.

“I was a bit surprised, there were a few AFL boys out there so I finally got a chance to have a crack round one against Casey.

“We did get a bit of a shellacking, but it was good to get my first game under my belt and the nerves gone and finally be able to say I played a game of VFL.”

Whilst he has been in and out of the side this season, Hodgson has achieved what he had hoped to achieve in his first VFL season, including playing alongside AFL stars such as Zak Jones and Dan Hannebery.

“When you do play with great AFL players that you looked up to growing up you’re a bit amazed like ‘oh wow this is pretty cool’.

“It’s those things that put in perspective you’re there, you’re playing with great players, AFL-listed players week in, week out. It’s a good indication  that you’re able to do that stuff."

He also has plenty of interests outside of the footy arena.

“I’ve been doing a bit of building with Andy, who’s an assistant coach of the mids with Ben Jacobs. Then I also get back and help the old man on the farm as much as I can.”

5 Rapid Fire Questions

Any (other) hobbies?

“I love swimming, that’s sort of a hobby. Water skiing and wakeboarding, that’s an outside interest.”

Favourite movie?

“The Blind Side, that was pretty changing, puts life in perspective”

Favourite snack/food?

“Lasagne”

Who do you support in the AFL/AFLW?

“Hawthorn”

Favourite AFL/AFLW player(s)?

“Sam Mitchell, he was amazing”

Written by Joshua Ward - Sandringham Football Club Media