The AFL All-Australian selection committee has lost a second member, with Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge joining Kane Cornes in withdrawing.
It comes following scrutiny surrounding those with roles in the footy industry who also work for sports betting companies.
In Hodge’s case, he does some work for TAB.
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Luke Hodge presents the Norm Smith Medal in 2025. via Getty Images
The four-time premiership Hawk was new to the committee in 2026, and never ended up even attending a meeting.
The situation stems from AFL umpire Nick Foot and his relationship with Sportsbet, covering horse racing.
That relationship faced heavy scrutiny in the wake of Foot’s reporting of Port Adelaide star Zak Butters for umpiring abuse.
Sportsbet has since changed its policies to ensure there were no sporting officials or award voters on its books.
Foot parted ways with them as part of that, while Cornes, who also has a working relationship with the bookmaker, later announced he was stepping down from the All-Australian committee.
AFL field umpire Nick Foot. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“I’ve done the same as what Kane has done – I’ve stood down from the committee,” Hodge told Channel Seven on Tuesday.
“Because you don’t want the integrity questioned of anything like that. I’ve had a long-standing relationship with TAB.
“I haven’t even joined a meeting yet with the All-Australian committee, so I thought it was the best thing after speaking with the AFL today that I’ll stand down and let the panel go ahead – just so the integrity of the side when it gets picked, there’s no question over it.”
Hodge and Cornes have both chosen to maintain their paid roles with the bookmakers over the All-Australian commitments.
Cornes confirmed last week that he didn’t wish to break the contract he has in place with Sportsbet.
Former Brisbane AFLW player Kate McCarthy, who voted on last year’s Norm Smith Medal, likely also won’t be called upon to vote on major awards going forward due to her own relationship with Sportsbet.
Kane Cornes. Getty
She may be allowed to continue voting on the AFLW All-Australian team as there currently isn’t a betting market for it.
It’s been a heavy year of turnover for the All-Australian committee, with Cornes and Hodge joining Nathan Buckley, Matthew Pavlich and Josh Mahoney departing the coveted panel.
Buckley joined Geelong as an assistant coach, Pavlich became the CEO of Sydney and Mahoney departed the AFL altogether.
Fremantle great David Mundy and Geelong champion Joel Selwood joined the panel for 2026 alongside Hodge.
Hodge may have had a further conflict of interest as part of the Rising Star voting panel, given his son Cooper is eligible for Brisbane’s academy and to Hawthorn as a father-son prospect this year.
AFL All-Australian and Rising Star selectors: Andrew Dillon (chair), Eddie Betts, Jude Bolton, Abbey Holmes, Glen Jakovich, Laura Kane, David Mundy, Joel Selwood and Greg Swann.
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