Hudson was a late bloomer in AFL terms, after first being recruited to Adelaide from local Queensland side Mt Gravatt at the relatively mature age of 24, before going on to enjoy successful stints at both the Crows (55 games) and later the Western Bulldogs (88 games).
He announced his retirement late in 2011 and eventually hung up the boots after his 143rd senior AFL game.
But as circumstance would have it, the Brisbane Lions were in need of an experienced ruckman and persuaded the local powerhouse out of retirement and into the maroon, blue and gold.
This Sunday, Hudson will line up for his 150th AFL senior match - a significant achievement which seemed to have passed him just nine months ago.
“When I originally said I’d retired, (the milestone) was certainly out of the equation,” Hudson said on the eve of the team’s Round 12 match against Hawthorn.
“I suppose playing 150 games is a pretty good achievement, but it would be all the more sweeter if we could just get a win on Sunday.”
Hudson’s AFL career has seen him move to South Australia, the Victoria, before eventually finding his way back home to Queensland - where he now intends to settle with his family.
“My family and my wife’s family are from the Gold Coast. I went to school there, and it was where I sort of started (playing football),” he said.
“I’m pretty sure that’s where I’m going to end up as well.”
