Australian Football

One of Glenelg's greatest ever products, Kym Hodgeman gave some indication of his promise in 1974 when, despite spending half the season in the senior team, he won the reserves Magarey Medal. From 1975 he was a regular in the Bays' league side, and rapidly established a reputation as a courageous and skilful goal kicking rover. A club best and fairest winner in 1977 and 1978, Hodgeman also topped the club's goal kicking list with 51 goals in 1978, and 32 the following year. 

The highlight of his first stint with Glenelg came with his popular Magarey Medal win in 1978; in the first season of the short-lived two umpire voting system, Hodgeman finished with 50 votes, one more than Port Adelaide champion Russell Ebert. A regular South Australian interstate representative, he achieved All Australian selection after the Perth state of origin carnival of 1979.

In 1981, after 160 games for the Tigers, Kym Hodgeman crossed to North Melbourne, where he continued to excel, playing 91 VFL games and kicking 133 goals in five seasons, besides winning the club's 1984 best and fairest award.

Returning to the Bay in 1986, Hodgeman played in a long overdue flag win in 1986, and continued playing for another four years. When he finally retired he had amassed 244 SANFL games for the Tigers, and booted 411 goals. He won a third club best and fairest award in 1989. 

Appointed senior coach at Glenelg in 1991, he steered the side to a losing Grand Final the following year, after which he stood down in favour of Mark Williams.

Author - John Devaney