LUKE HODGE hasn't played in almost two months but Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson believes his veteran skipper could have a "profound" influence on the Hawks' fortunes.

Hodge is back for his first game since round six after suffering a knee injury that required surgery and what the club has described as a "mini pre-season" to have him primed to spearhead Hawthorn's quest for a record-equalling fourth-successive premiership.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson is bullish about the 32-year-old's chances of making an immediate impact against lowly Gold Coast in Launceston on Sunday, before the League heavyweight enjoys its scheduled bye.

"He's captain of our club and he's one of the most decorated players in the competition, and has been for the best part of a dozen years – we've missed that, but that'll only really be measured by what impact he can have in the second half of the year, but we're hopeful that'll be profound," Clarkson told reporters at Melbourne Airport on Saturday morning before flying to Tasmania.

The coach said Hodge "perhaps" could have been selected for the past two games but emphasised that the Hawks were playing the long game.

"The difficulty has been holding him out until now. He's been really keen to play, but we just think it's better for him and better for us that we've done it this way," Clarkson said.

"Hopefully he gets through this game OK and gets a little bit of an extended break and then gets himself ready for Port Adelaide (in) the game after the bye."

Clarkson insisted Hodge was "ready to go" and that his game time would not need to be specially managed.

"We're not going to be holding him back in any way," he said.

However, Clarkson refused to give away the kind of role Hodge would play.

"He plays forward, midfield and back for us, and has for the last 12 years, so where he's actually going to start and play will probably change as it unfolds," he said.

Hodge is among the Hawks' oldest quartet, along with Sam Mitchell (33), Shaun Burgoyne (33) and Josh Gibson (32), with Mitchell so far the only confirmed starter for next season.

Clarkson said his preference was for all four to play on.

"We don't want to retire any of our champions as long they're playing great footy," he said.

"Those other three in particular have all been consistent contributors again and we're hopeful that 'Hodgey' can get going in the second half of the year … and give himself a chance to play next year as well."