Northern Knights key defender Tate Hodgson is approaching every opportunity in 2026 with gratitude and a mature perspective.
There was 530 days separating Hodgson's Round 1 game for the Knights and his last competitive game of footy at the end of his Under-16s season.
A back injury sidelined Hodgson, a member of the AFL Academy, for the entire 2025 season, forcing him to watch from the sidelines as his contemporaries each made strides with their footy.
“It was tough,” Hodgson admitted to Zero Hanger following the AFL Academy series.
“It was Jan or Feb when Mum broke the news to me, I broke down straight away and I was quick to realise that at the end of the day, it's not that deep.
“I might not be playing footy for the year but I still have everything else going well for me – my social life, my family, I'm healthy although I was injured.
“It was tough but looking at the bright side of all the opportunities that came with the injury.”
Hodgson remained engaged in the Knights setup despite his injury, sitting in the box with head coach Anthony Rocca each week which has improved his footy IQ.
His selection in the AFL Academy, putting him in the top 25 prospects in the country entering the year, despite his injury highlights the esteem he has been held in since a standout Under-16s National Development Championships.
He capitalised on the opportunity provided by the AFL Academy, absorbing knowledge from the likes of Joel Selwood and Chad Wingard and building strong relationships with his fellow draft prospects in an overseas training camp in New Zealand.
He was also a clear standout of the first AFL Academy game, taking four intercept marks and defending strongly on a day where North Melbourne was allowed to move the footy with little trouble against a typically offensively-minded AFL Academy side.
“Last year was obviously pretty hard not playing any footy but you quickly learn the lows are low but the highs are pretty high and experiences like this and what you get out of it is pretty good," Hodgson explained.
“It was certainly tough last year, you ride the rollercoaster of emotions but my family and the Knights were so supportive.
“The whole experience of the AFL Academy is pretty crazy: there are moments you have to pinch yourself and question ‘is this real?' because it's unbelievable.
“The standard of the AFL Academy games has pushed me forward even more, just knowing what is required and how much of a step up it is. I'm slowly feeling more comfortable getting more games under my belt.”
Hodgson, who models his game on Jordan Ridley, is physically developed for a player of his age and uses it well for a player of his size, believes that he has another level to find given he has missed so much footy.
He will have at least eight games under his belt before the Under-18s National Championships kick off, which will allow him to play with liberty and confidence if selected for Vic Metro.
“I've been satisfied in a way without putting too much pressure on myself. It was a long time out of the game so I kind of don't want to put a ceiling on myself. Things are slowly come back to me each week and I feel like my confidence is rising," he said.
“I'm in a building phase at the moment and hopefully get exposure at champs.
“It's probably my aerial and kicking ability and my voice and leadership. I pride my game on that – that's how I get into the game. If I'm talking and communicating well, then I know I'm going well.”
Within the naturally high-pressure environment of the individually-focused Talent League where those metrics remain the long term indicators of success, Hodgson continues to remind himself of the privileged position he's in just to have the chance to run around and do what he loves.
“Each time I get to run out there, it's so much more special because obviously I missed it for so long,” Hodgson said.
“It puts so much more meaning on playing games now especially experiences like the AFL Academy.”
