Tom Hawkins’ advice for injury-cursed Melbourne youngster Jesse Hogan: Stay positive

ON-FIRE Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins has counselled Melbourne’s Jesse Hogan over the frustrations of an ongoing back injury.

Melbourne Demons in Alice Springs. .Pic Wayne Ludbey, Jesse Hogan,

ON-FIRE Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins has counselled Melbourne’s Jesse Hogan over the frustrations of an ongoing back injury.

Hawkins, who has returned to his hulking best after an injury-ravaged 2013 season, had coffee with Hogan three weeks ago following a setback in the young Demon’s recovery from stress fractures.

While Hawkins said they had suffered different injuries, the Cats full-forward had encouraging advice for the 19-year-old about the need to stay positive on the road back from a debilitating back problem.

“Our issues are different but I think the concept of getting over an injury is the same,” Hawkins said on Triple M.

“I felt I had a really good support network with physios, docs and coaches, family and friends.

“You need to surround yourself with really positive people, and he is going to get frustrated and down on himself at times and it’s a matter of staying positive and having good people around you.

“No doubt he is a really exciting player.”

Jesse Hogan is yet to play a senior game. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Hogan is out indefinitely as he recovers from the injury but is hopeful of making his AFL debut this season, after winning Casey’s best-and-fairest booting 39 goals in the VFL last season.

One of the AFL’s most exciting young key forwards, Hogan is out of contract at the end of next season and is unlikely to start formal contract negotiations until he resumes playing.

Hawkins, 25, rated his fitness as nine or 10 out of 10 this season but said he had to continue to manage his back issue after struggling with it for the bulk of last season.

In a massive blow for the Cats, the back problem sidelined the dual premiership goalkicker for the club’s crucial qualifying final loss to Fremantle last season.

“Last year it was pretty well documented about my back issue but it was a week to week proposition,” Hawkins said.

“Some weeks it would feel good, some weeks it would feel average. This year I have had a lot more good days.

“I felt the off-season was the pivotal stage in getting that right. It just gave me time.

“Last year when I was playing footy I just didn’t have the time to get myself right.

“I was just worried about recovering and then preparing as well as I could for each game.”

Hawkins is equal leader in the Coleman Medal race after booting four goals to spearhead the win over North Melbourne on Friday night. He has booted 25 majors for the year, equal with Port Adelaide’s Jay Schulz. The 197cm power forward said he had a greater fitness base this season.

“The off-season was really important in terms of getting my back issue right,” he said. “I’m feeling good, feeling a lot fitter as well.”

Originally published as Tom Hawkins’ advice for injury-cursed Melbourne youngster Jesse Hogan: Stay positive