Ben Hudson Biography

Ben Hudson is returning to Brisbane, with the popular veteran announced as the Lions' defensive skills and ruck coach for 2015.

"Ben has done a fantastic job working with Collingwood's young ruckmen and has a wealth of experience as both a player and a mentor," Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said.

After being placed on Collingwood's long-term injury list following surgery on his shoulder, Ben Hudson knows his playing days are close to over but hopes to remain at the Magpies in a ruck coaching role.

"The Pies have given me that opportunity to have that coaching role, so at the moment I'm pretty keen to stay with them … I certainly see some growth there," Hudson said.

"The opportunity I've been given is to mentor, look after and be responsible for Brodie and Jarrod in that role and fast-tracking them as young ruckmen."

Ben Hudson is set to undergo shoulder surgery and will be placed on Collingwood's long-term injury list.

Hudson will miss up to eight weeks, and is likely to mean he has played his last AFL match.

"It's not as bad as a shoulder reconstruction, but he's having a tendon reattached," Magpies football manager Rodney Eade said.

"We reckon he'll be eight weeks and hopefully he's back in the finals for the twos (VFL)."

Ben Hudson has agreed to stay on the Magpies' rookie list for another season after a successful 2013.

Collingwood could use Ben Hudson in a ruck tandem with Darren Jolly next season, according to coach Nathan Buckley.

"Ben understands full well the position he'll be in … it will be a product of his form and the circumstances of the ruck situation at senior level," Buckley said.

"Who's to say those two [Jolly and Hudson] won't be rucking together by the end of the year?"

Ben Hudson's AFL journey is likely to continue at Collingwood with the Pies planning to select him in the rookie draft.

"Ben will work closely with our young ruckmen and we think, with his experience and example, he will be outstanding in that role," Collingwood football director Geoff Walsh said.

"But we have also committed to selecting Ben in the rookie draft if he nominates because we think he can also offer strong support to Darren Jolly as the two young boys mature."

Melbourne ruckman Mitch Clark admits the criticism leveled at him by former coach Leigh Matthews hurt after Matthews suggested that Ben Hudson would be a better recruit for the Lions than Clark would be for the Demons.

"He's entitled to his opinion," Clark said.

"Hudson is going to be a great pick up for the Lions I'm sure. Hopefully I can be a good pick up for the Demons. I'm not sure we're going to worry about what anyone else is saying. What I care about is how my teammates and coaches see me within the club."

He may be the old man of the Brisbane Lions, but veteran ruckman Ben Hudson is revelling in his AFL lifeline after announcing his retirement from the Western Bulldogs.

"I'd told my wife I'd retired and I'd told everyone else," Hudson said.

"It came out of the blue. The Lions gave me a call after the Grand Final and asked whether I'd be interested in having a run around.

"I went away and thought about it and thought 'it's not a bad job to have so I'll keep going'. I was always going to move back to Queensland so it's worked out well. The footy club has been a great place to continue footy."

The Brisbane Lions say they didn't just recruit Ben Hudson as cover in case No. 1 ruck Matthew Leuenberger is injured.

"When we spoke to Ben we said we clearly need someone who's going to support Matthew Leuenberger," Lions' national talent manager Robb Kerr said.

"But whether he's injured or not, there's an opportunity for Ben to force his way in to the team. Watching him towards the end of the year I thought he was playing some fairly decent footy. Over the course of the season he averaged just shy of 17 possessions."

Lions' national talent manager Rob Kerr says his club is interested in retired Bulldog Ben Hudson but it is too early to say a deal is done.

"If Mitch moves, we need back-up support for Matthew Leuenberger," Kerr said before the start of trade talks at Etihad Stadium.

"There's a number of ruckmen available, and Ben's one of those ruckmen. It's a bit early to pre-empt it, but we'll see what comes out of it."

Western Bulldog Ben Hudson says Barry Hall would add something to the Western Bulldog's attack.

"He is a great player and a big body," Hudson said.

"I think Murph (Robert Murphy) said during the week it would make people stand taller if he was on your side."