Geelong Cats: Jeremy Cameron chasing 100 goals in AFL season

With one star key forward returning to form and the other on track for reaching 100 goals in a year, the Geelong Cats forward line is purring.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 22: Tom Hawkins of the Cats kicks a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 06 match between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans at GMHBA Stadium on April 22, 2023 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Geelong forward Tom Hawkins believes he in on the track to his best football after a blistering fortnight.

The veteran goal kicker has slotted nine goals in the past two games after starting the season slowly with just five majors in the opening month of football.

Hawkins had surgery on his foot in the off-season, causing him to miss a large chunk of training after Christmas.

“I still maintain that I feel 100 per cent, it’s a combination of the fact that I have had off-season surgery and an interrupted pre-season,” he said.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 22: Tom Hawkins of the Cats celebrates a goal with teammates Mark Blicavs and Sam Simpson during the 2023 AFL Round 06 match between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans at GMHBA Stadium on April 22, 2023 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Being a bit older has its challenges but again I maintain I’ve been 100 per cent for the first six rounds of the year.

“I’m building what I’m trying to do and put out there each week so I’ll keep looking to improve.”

Hawkins’ partner-in-crime, Jeremy Cameron, remains on track to eclipse the 100-goal mark in 2023 after booting another five goals against Sydney.

Cameron would need to kick 73 goals in the remaining 17 games, averaging 4.3 per contest, for the rest of the season to reach the milestone, with the star forward currently on track with an average of 4.5 majors per game.

Hawkins said he thought Cameron could become the first player since Buddy Franklin in 2008 to reach the 100-goal record.

MELBOURNE. 19/04/2023. AFL. Round 6. Geelong vs Sydney Swans at GMHBA Stadium. Tom Hawkins of the Cats fends off Sydneys Jake Lloyd before goaling during the 2nd qtr. . Pic: Michael Klein

“He’s certainly on the way, wouldn’t it be great to see,” Hawkins said. “I think it’d be a wonderful thing for our game, I still remember Buddy being the last player to kick 100 goals in a season.

“It’d be incredible, I’ve been on the ground for one milestone where people run onto the ground (Franklin’s 1000th goal), and I’d love to be in another. I think everyone right across the competition has marvelled at what he’s done.

“What he’s been able to produce has really carried us along the way for a large part of the season in 2023.”

Geelong will face Essendon at the MCG on Sunday.

Originally published as Geelong Cats: Jeremy Cameron chasing 100 goals in AFL season