BRISBANE CEO Greg Swann has defended Luke Hodge amid criticism the veteran is a liability defensively in first season at the club.

St Kilda legend Danny Frawley said following the Lions' 93-point loss to Richmond on the weekend opposition clubs were directing play through Hodge's opponent to exploit his defensive weaknesses.

Speaking on SEN on Tuesday morning, Swann said the four-time premiership Hawk had made a huge contribution on and off the field in his first few months at the club.

"On the weekend we had a bad game, but I think the three weeks before that, Luke has been one our better players, and he did have a few (teammates) on the weekend that weren't very good," Swann said.

"We thought (the comments) were a bit premature saying he should retire after one game because I think that body of work he's put forward last month, I think he's more than held his own.

"The stuff that he does at training, the leadership group and everything else he does around the club, both on and off-field, the coaching stuff, you can't buy that.

"We just think he adds so much more than being a player, (so) we have no regrets and don't think he should sit in the grandstand."

Addressing the 33-year-old's perceived defensive vulnerabilities, Swann said statistics supported his argument that Hodge was holding his own in the first four rounds of the season.

"He's had nine one-on-one contests and he's lost two, so when the ball is in his area he's still really hard to beat, and that's up in the elite category," Swann said.

"We've had 60 goals kicked against us (this season) and his direct opponent has kicked three. 

"The week before we had Cedric Cox, Alex Witherden, Tom Cutler and Darcy Gardiner playing in the backline, so it's like he's leading the kindergarten down there against Port Adelaide."

Asked if Hodge was due for a rest after playing the first four games of the season, Swann said the veteran's "body was feeling great" and he would rest when required.

"He and Chris Fagan talk about that all the time and (discuss) how he's feeling," Swann said.

"We've been lucky we've had seven-day breaks and this week we have an eight-day break, so (a rest) will probably come about on a six-day break, but it's not premeditated.

"That will happen, there's no doubt that will happen.

"When he does have a week off, that allows the other blokes to grow and run (the backline) themselves."