Geelong’s Tom Hawkins has recently acknowledged that he might not return for the Cats’ upcoming finals series. Despite his previous hope of participating in the finals and contributing to another potential grand final appearance, Hawkins now faces uncertainty about his return. The 36-year-old forward, who has already announced his retirement, is dealing with a Lisfranc injury sustained in Round 15 against Carlton, which has significantly impacted his recovery.
Hawkins, who has played 12 games this season, expressed his frustration and uncertainty regarding his recovery timeline. He stated that while he is hopeful about playing in the finals, he remains unsure of when he will be fully fit. Hawkins has been a crucial player for Geelong, with a career total of 796 goals, placing him 13th on the VFL/AFL all-time goal-kicking list. He has previously led the team to premierships in 2009, 2011, and 2022, and won the Coleman Medal in 2020.
Drafted as a father-son pick in 2006, Hawkins has been a significant figure for Geelong, following in the footsteps of his father, Jack Hawkins, who played for the Cats from 1973 to 1981. Despite the physical challenges, Hawkins has expressed a sense of relief about his retirement decision and looks forward to spending time with his family and watching the team from the new stand at GMHBA Stadium.
In related news, Zach Tuohy, another Geelong veteran, has also announced his retirement at the end of the season. Tuohy, aged 34, will retire as the Irish games record holder in the AFL, having played over 280 games for Geelong and Carlton. He shared his decision with his teammates and Geelong members via a video statement.
