Goalkicker Tom Hawkins says the Cats have learnt from valuable lessons from the 2019 prelim loss to the Tigers
Geelong’s finals exit was agonising - particularly for suspended spearhead Tom Hawkins. But the Cats have learnt plenty from that loss. Meanwhile, the out-of-contract forward reveals his long-term plans.
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A driven Tom Hawkins maintains he and Geelong have learnt valuable lessons from their heartbreaking finals exit last season, saying the Cats make no secret of the fact they are pushing for a premiership in 2020.
Hawkins, 31, has also revealed he plans to play on for a number of years with the Cats starting a conversation with his management about a new deal beyond the end of this season.
He missed the Cats’ preliminary final against Richmond last year after being suspended for striking Eagle Will Schofield in a semi-final.
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Compounding that pain, he was forced to watch from the coaches’ box as Geelong squandered a 21-point half-time lead to the Tigers before going down to the eventual premier by 19 points.
Hawkins, who will play for the All-Stars against Victoria on Friday night, told the Herald Sun the club had internally addressed what happened last September to move on from the experience.
“Whether something goes right or isn’t successful, it is all about reviewing the process, and that’s what we did,” Hawkins said.
“From everything you do or everything you are involved in – whatever it may be – there is always going to be an outcome.
“You can learn from that, and that’s what we did with last year’s prelim.
“How you handle it is different for each individual … I certainly think addressing a few things that we highlighted as common themes throughout that second half (against Richmond) was the right thing.
“That means when the games are there to be won, and when the pressure comes on, we might be able to respond a bit differently.
“The reality in footy is you can look at the fact we were ahead, and Richmond came back and were too good. But there were many factors that go into why things happen the way they do.”
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Hawkins said the support of his family and friends had been important when dealing with the disappointment of missing out on a crucial final, due to a preventable suspension.
He says the drive for a third premiership medal – his two flags came before he turned 24 – is the thing that motivates him.
“That’s the driving force behind me,” he said.
“I would love for those guys to taste a bit of success that I was lucky enough to have. I’m really looking forward to having that opportunity again, to hopefully go a couple of steps better than last year.”
He would also love to silence what he thinks are the unfair critics of coach Chris Scott, who point to his 4-11 finals record since coaching Geelong to a flag in his maiden season.
“I watch and read what happens in footy, but I think it is unfair at times,” he said.
“We put ourselves in these positions as players and coaches, and we want to be the best version of ourselves.
“Chris bears the brunt of being the face of the Geelong Football Club.
“He has to front up and deal with it, so hopefully if and when we win the next premiership that Chris is celebrated as the great coach he is.”