Geelong forward Shannon Neale reflects on past two seasons with and without Tom Hawkins

Shannon Neale had more external pressure and expectation than ever before after Tom Hawkins’ retirement. But despite a modest start to this season, it was 2024 where he really felt the heat. And he still doesn’t feel safe.

On the surface, this season may appear tougher than last for emerging Geelong goalkicker Shannon Neale.

The retirement of Cats champion Tom Hawkins made Neale a walk-up start for Geelong’s best 22, but with that comes pressure and expectation – especially being the next man up after an all-time-great of the club.

The athletic 203 centimetre key forward came into the side for the injured Hawkins in round 13 last year and fitted in nicely.

Shannon Neale walks off after their loss to GWS. Picture: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images

Neale, 22, kicked a goal in every game except the preliminary final after his recall, slotting 15 majors in the last 10 games to finish with 23 for the season.

But this season as captain Patrick Dangerfield thrived up forward, Neale failed to register 10 disposals in a game until round 10 and had just eight majors to his name in 10 matches before last Thursday.

Even before his career-best five-goal haul in their win over the Western Bulldogs, Neale has felt more comfortable stepping out from Hawkins’ shadow in 2025.

It was a different story in 2024, where he felt he had to replace the Geelong games record holder, rather than play his own game.

Shannon Neale celebrates one of his five goals. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

“In some ways it has (been challenging following Hawkins), but at the same time, it’s about playing my role within the team and not listening to outside noise, only listening to what’s happening within the four walls from my coaches and my teammates, and they really value what I’m doing at the moment,” Neale told this masthead.

“Last year in the pre-season I was in and out of the ‘A’ team when we did match sim, so it was a bit unsettling still,” Neale said.

“Last year it felt like I had to step in and fill the shoes of ‘Hawk’, whereas this year I played the whole pre season in the ‘A’ team, and I’m able to sort of build my own game and play the structure in our way.

“It’s always good to get results on the scoreboard individually and get a lot of the footy, but what’s important to me is playing my role within the team. Obviously we’ve seen Pat and Jez kick bags respectively in their own games individually.”

“I like to think I’m an important part to this team in creating a contest, bringing it to ground, doing those things. But I still think I’m developing.”

Neale is growing in confidence. Picture: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images

While his confidence has grown, he still doesn’t feel safe in the Cats side.

“I still feel the same. It still sits with me, like I walk in Monday, do my review, and don’t expect to play AFL in a way - a bit like last year,” Neale said.

“I just sort of think, ‘We’ll see what this week holds’, get the best out of out of the main session that we do throughout the week, and work on the things that might come out of my game.

“Then I don’t necessarily have to ask the coach if I’m playing, but I still feel like a fringe player in a way, and still feel like I have to put my best foot forward during training and each week.”

Geelong coach Chris Scott doesn’t throw around praise lightly, but he couldn’t hide his approval after Neale’s heroics against the Bulldogs.

After making Neale earn his spot, he certainly doesn’t believe his place in the side is up for grabs.

“He’s got great potential. Shannon. He’s an outstanding athlete,” Scott said post-match last week.

“Track and field background, 400m and 800m, lightning quick, 203 centimetres and a beautiful kick.

“We’ve always been prepared to be patient with him, but I think we’ve moved past that stage where we’re sort of easing him into our team. He’s a pretty important part of what we do.

“The part that I like seeing, he’s a genuinely good runner.

“Really quick, but he’s got great repeat speed as well, so I thought we saw that. His second last goal, running back towards goal, he’s a handful for any defender in that situation.”

Knowing the pressures of AFL footy better than anyone, Hawkins has kept his distance from Neale.

But while the two were fighting for one spot last pre-season, Neale believes there will be a lasting friendship between the pair.

Tom Hawkins and Shannon Neale remain in touch. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Speaking to him early in the season, he was like, ‘I don’t want to get in your ear, you’ve probably got enough people telling you things to do’,” Neale said.

“So he’s really respectful about that, but we do message every now and again, which it’s great to hear from him, and still be a part of his life.

“I was with him for four years, and I’d like to think our friendship would carry on throughout the years, which is really good.”

Neale has loved playing and learning off Jeremy Cameron, who has bagged 13 goals in his last two games, and now Dangerfield.

“If you asked me a few years ago if I was going to be lining up in the forward line with Patrick Dangerfield on my right and Jeremy Cameron on my left, I’d think you’re stupid,” Neale smiled. “It’s pretty surreal.”

The West Australian signed a three-year extension with the club until the end of 2028, and he is only just getting started 31 games into his career.

“I’ve still got a lot of work to do in terms of my contested marking, so I still think I can take my game to another level,” Neale said.

Originally published as Geelong forward Shannon Neale reflects on past two seasons with and without Tom Hawkins