On the eve of his 300th game, Hawthorn champion Luke Hodge has announced he will retire from the AFL at the end of the season.

An emotional Hodge fronted the media on Monday, saying he had made the decision some time ago.

“I’m definitely a passionate person about football, I love my footy, but I would do anything for the football club and anything for the team to have success,” Hodge said.

“I know there are a few supporters from other clubs that might have a different opinion of me, but that comes with footy.

“I will do anything for my football club and sometimes that means crossing the line, and I know that’s not the best part, but I’ve been able to achieve here at the football club a lot that a lot of other teams haven’t been able to, and I’m proud of that.”

Hodge said the main factor in his decision was not wanting to stand in the way of the young players currently emerging at Hawthorn.

We’ve had discussions when we signed the contract last year that if everything went the way we plan, this would be the last year because we knew we had a lot of younger guys who were ready to stand up,” he said.

“I think the last month has really locked it in, seeing the young guys, especially down back.

“Next year, if I play, I will be taking the spot of one of those younger guys and if we are talking about the future of the footy club and how best we can leave it when we’re out of here, it is really about giving them the responsibility.”

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson described Hodge as a “once in a generation player”, saying he had always admired his leadership ability.

Hodge became well practised in lifting premiership cups. Photo: AAP

“He just became an outstanding leader because he has had the passion for it, had a passion for his club, had a passion for his teammates and he made an outstanding contribution in that regard,” Clarkson said.

Hodge showed talent as a cricketer is his youth but Clarkson said the AFL should be grateful he chose to pursue his dreams in Australian rules.

“He had passion for cricket and footy as a kid,” Clarkson said.

“He could have gone on probably in both sports and played at a very, very high level. He chose footy.

“I’m glad he did, but he found his passion and he has been able to leave an indelible mark on this football club and the game.

“So, the real difficult part for all players through getting to the end of their careers is what’s their next passion, and if he finds it … he will be successful at it.”

🏆 Four-time premiership player
🏅 Dual Norm Smith medallist
🇦🇺 Three-time All Australian representative

What a career @LHodge15 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/T4KEwyc5gi

— AFL (@AFL) July 10, 2017

A product of the 2001 “superdraft”, Hodge was selected above Luke Ball and Chris Judd as the number one pick. He did not have to wait long for a debut, tasting AFL action for the first time against Richmond in round five of 2002 at the MCG.

What followed was a career as decorated as they come, with four premierships – three as captain from 2013 to 2015 – putting him in rarefied air in AFL history.

In two of those victorious grand finals, Hodge won the Norm Smith Medal as best on field, with his leadership and ability to rise to the greatest occasions a hallmark of his career.

He captained the side from 2011 to 2016, and was named in the All Australian team three times, in 2005, 2008 and 2010.