The Finley community pays tribute to Tom Hawkins career

Shane Crawford or Tom Hawkins? Both hail from the NSW town and the Brownlow medallist has paid tribute to the man who may have usurped him as Finley’s best export.

Tom Hawkins on his family farm. Picture: Jason Edwards

The entire population of Finley, New South Wales, could fill less than a tenth of the capacity of Kardinia Park, yet it has produced one of the greatest footballers to ever call the Cattery home.

Tom Hawkins called time on his illustrious 350-game plus AFL career on Monday, with his last game for the club to be at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

While Hawkins has spent most of the last 17 years tearing up AFL grounds a long way from home, his personal and familial connections run deep.

His father Jack – who played 182 games for the Cats in the 70s and 80s – and aunt and uncle Deb Jewell (nee Hawkins) and Jim Jewell co-own the Finley Country Club, with Hawkins himself having made plenty of trips to the region over the years.

The town boasts another big name within its ranks, with Brownlow Medalist and 300-game Hawthorn premiership player Shane Crawford also hailing from the southern Riverina NSW town.

“I remember having a photo with Tom when he was 12 and I was 26, even then he towered over me,” Crawford said.

“I wouldn’t have guessed then that he’d go on to become the Cats all-time games record holder, but it makes sense now looking at the player and the person he’s turned out to be.

“His dad Jack is still a frequent spectator at the local footy, and the entire family have a very close and active connection with the area.

“It’s been a challenge to watch the Hawks play Geelong – deep down I always wanted the Hawks to win but for Tom to play well and kick goals.

“I think they should name the biggest silo in town after him.”

Shane Crawford and Tom Hawkins talk at Finley in 2008.

St Joseph’s Primary School principal Veronica Braybon, who was Hawkins’ grade one teacher, recalls a “down to earth” kid who just loved his sport.

“He was always out in the yard, playing his footy or cricket … he was always willing to get in and have a go and do what was asked of him,” Braybon said.

“He spent a lot of his time outside of school helping his family out on the farm, and from what I hear he continues to do so to this day.

“With such a small community – including lots of cousins – around him he was able to build a lot of friendships through the school that he continues to this day.”

Braybon said Hawkins’ sporting prowess, particularly on the football field, was evident early on.

“It was clear he was very sporting-minded, he loved his cricket as well as his footy,” she said.

“By the end of his primary school days he was involved in a lot of our sports progression programs, including the MacKillop team for Catholic Schools NSW.”

She said the school and the community of Finley as a whole maintain a source of pride in him for what he’s achieved and the role the community played in helping him to get there, describing him as a “fabulous role model.”

Tom Hawkins on his family farm with dad and Geelong champion Jack Hawkins. Picture: Jason Edwards

“We’re just very proud to be a part of that history, and I suppose what we really value is that when he’s at home he wants to connect with the kids,” she said.

“He makes calls to the school and wants to drop in and have a chat with the kids, and he just gives his time.

“There’s been times where he’s come by the school and spent way more time with the kids than anyone was expecting, even during his time off where he could easily have taken the time to himself.

“The way he sits with our kids and answers their questions in such a considered way and tried to instil in them the importance of school and commitment and trying your best.”

Shane Crawford and Tom Hawkins.

Rick Shaw, manager and co-owner of the country club, who is also the football manager for Finley Football Netball Club where Hawkins played his junior football, echoed the sentiments of Braybon in describing a person who always had time for the community.

“I remember his visit when he brought the premiership cup with him, he went around to so many different places to make sure as many people as possible got to see it and be a part of it,” Shaw said,

“There would have been 150-200 people at the club the day he brought the cup with him, and I’m sure each and every one of them walked away with a great experience to remember.

“I can distinctly recall a moment where he was at an event and approached to sort of wrap things up and move on and he turned and said ‘no I’m ok thanks’, and went right back to what he was doing with the kids.

“He didn’t make a fuss about it and I only know because I happened to be nearby, but he wanted to make sure absolutely every kid there got a chance to meet and speak with him one-on-one.”

Originally published as The Finley community pays tribute to Tom Hawkins career