Tate Hodgson
Northern Knights
2026 AFL Draft
Power Rankings- Power Ranking
- No. 67
- Position
- Key Defender
- Height
- 197 cm
- Age at draft
- 18y 3m
- Plays for
- Northern Knights
- Invited to
- National combine
- Draft night
- 19 November
| 2026 averages | GM | KI | HB | DI | CP | MA | TA | CL | I50 | R50 | IT | SI | GL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talent League | 12 | 11.0 | 4.8 | 15.8 | - | 3.8 | 1.2 | - | 0.8 | 3.9 | - | - | 0.0 |
| Championships | 4 | 10.8 | 4.8 | 15.5 | 3.3 | 4.8 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 4.0 | 5.5 | 2.3 | 0.0 |
Bio
Tate Hodgson is a key defender who has re-established his draft stocks after a challenging stint on the sidelines. Playing for the Northern Knights in the Talent League, Hodgson was named squad captain for the 2026 season. His leadership and strong form earned him a place in the AFL Academy and a spot in the Vic Metro side that won the National Championships. His return to top-level football was impressive given he missed his entire bottom-age season with back stress fractures, a setback he overcame after previously earning Under-16 All-Australian honours.
At 193cm, Hodgson operates as a composed and competitive tall defender. Scouts praise his elite football IQ, which allows him to read the ball in flight and position himself for intercept marks. He is also noted for his clean foot skills when rebounding out of the defensive half. While observers point out he could improve his one-on-one defence and burst speed, his pure game sense often offsets a lack of natural pace. Regarded as one of the better key defenders in the pool, Hodgson was invited to the National Draft Combine and is widely considered a solid draft prospect.
Talent League career
23 games0 goals
- Debut
- R6 2024 v OAK5 May 2024
- Most recent
- QF 2026 v SAN5 Sept 2026
Stats
Talent League
2026 | NOR | 12 | 11.0 | 4.8 | 15.8 | 3.8 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 58 |
2024 | NOR | 11 | 6.2 | 3.2 | 9.4 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 41 |
U18 Boys
2026 | VM | 4 | 10.8 | 4.8 | 15.5 | 4.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 61 |
Bio
Tate Hodgson is a key defender who has re-established his draft stocks after a challenging stint on the sidelines. Playing for the Northern Knights in the Talent League, Hodgson was named squad captain for the 2026 season. His leadership and strong form earned him a place in the AFL Academy and a spot in the Vic Metro side that won the National Championships. His return to top-level football was impressive given he missed his entire bottom-age season with back stress fractures, a setback he overcame after previously earning Under-16 All-Australian honours.
At 193cm, Hodgson operates as a composed and competitive tall defender. Scouts praise his elite football IQ, which allows him to read the ball in flight and position himself for intercept marks. He is also noted for his clean foot skills when rebounding out of the defensive half. While observers point out he could improve his one-on-one defence and burst speed, his pure game sense often offsets a lack of natural pace. Regarded as one of the better key defenders in the pool, Hodgson was invited to the National Draft Combine and is widely considered a solid draft prospect.
Profile
- Born
- 24 July 2008 (age 18y 92d)
- Height
- 197 cm
Teams
Bio
1 revisionTate Hodgson is a key defender who has re-established his draft stocks after a challenging stint on the sidelines. Playing for the Northern Knights in the Talent League, Hodgson was named squad captain for the 2026 season. His leadership and strong form earned him a place in the AFL Academy and a spot in the Vic Metro side that won the National Championships. His return to top-level football was impressive given he missed his entire bottom-age season with back stress fractures, a setback he overcame after previously earning Under-16 All-Australian honours.
At 193cm, Hodgson operates as a composed and competitive tall defender. Scouts praise his elite football IQ, which allows him to read the ball in flight and position himself for intercept marks. He is also noted for his clean foot skills when rebounding out of the defensive half. While observers point out he could improve his one-on-one defence and burst speed, his pure game sense often offsets a lack of natural pace. Regarded as one of the better key defenders in the pool, Hodgson was invited to the National Draft Combine and is widely considered a solid draft prospect.