Guerra will play his 250th AFL game against Richmond on Saturday, 154 of those having been with the Hawks, after earlier stints at Port Adelaide (65 games) and St Kilda (31).
Along the way he has become famous for his razor-sharp left boot, and his hardness at both ball and man. Among the big hits, a collarbone snapping tackle on future teammate Cameron Bruce in 2005 while playing for the Saints, sticks in Hodge's mind.
Bruce, at the time playing for Melbourne, was leading the Brownlow Medal when crunched into the turf by a charging Guerra, and the incident continues to be a source of mirth at Waverley, where Bruce finished his playing career and has continued as a development coach.
"When he (Guerra) gets a bit of speed up, he's got a fair bit of force behind him," Hodge said.
“‘Brucey’ reckons he would have been up there with the greats, but ‘Gooey’ cost him.”
On his last chance when he arrived at the Hawks the following season, Guerra’s growing maturity off-field helped him transform his attitude and become a key member of the club’s 2008 premiership team.
Four years later, his brave yet unsuccessful battle to play in Hawthorn’s next Grand Final, after tearing a hamstring in round 23, became one of the 2012 season’s sad stories.
But it also highlighted the traits that have made Guerra a loved member of the club’s playing group.
“His experience, his calmness, and his voice out there, we definitely missed that during the finals last year,” Hodge said.
“He had a great attitude in trying to get back for the Grand Final, but he put the team first and said he wouldn’t have been able to get through a full game.
“I think that’s what we’ve come to expect from him.
“His mindset has always been to put the team first, and everyone else before himself.”
That attitude has again shown through in the 31-year-old’s approach to his milestone game.
He has avoided fanfare, preferring to stay low-key and focus on winning.
Away from the spotlight, though, Hodge described Guerra – a product of regional Victorian city Bendigo – as a “country larrikin”.
“He’s a pretty low-key person; he doesn’t like too much fuss being made of him,” the Hawks captain said.
“But he’s always upbeat around the club and loves having a bit of fun with the boys.
“He’s also one of the more loyal people to his mates. He’ll do anything to help you out.
“If you need anything, he’ll drop whatever he’s doing. He’s that kind of guy.”
Brent Guerra, Luke Hodge and Brad Sewell enjoy the spoils of victory after the 2008 Grand Final win. Picture: AFL Media
As tough and respected as his friend is though, Hodge wants it known that there is one chink in the Guerra armour – one he has seen firsthand since appointing him as godfather to his eldest son Cooper.
“He’s got a really weak stomach,” Hodge said.
“As far as playing with the kids, he’s great – whenever he comes around he’s always out with ‘Coop’ having a kick or chasing him around.
"But I’ve never seen him go near a dirty nappy. His stomach can’t handle it."
This story is from the Round 19 AFL Record
