Serious fears raised over Tom Hawkins injury as Cats fall to Blues

Geelong champion Tom Hawkins’ illustrious AFL career could be hanging by a thread following an innocuous injury on Friday night.

Serious fears were raised on Friday night over Geelong champion Tom Hawkins’ future in the game.

Hawkins, 35, limped to the bench during the third quarter after falling to the turf with an innocuous injury to his left foot as the Cats were trampled by Carlton to the tune of 63-points.

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The Geelong forward took no further part in the contest as he sat at the back of the bench before heading out onto the ground after the final siren on crutches.

Concerns for the 359-game star, who will turn 36 in July, were raised immediately with Abbey Holmes noting there was no clear reason as to how the injury came about.

“The big concern during that third quarter lies with Tom Hawkins,” Abbey Holmes said on Channel 7.

“We saw the incident, it was very innocuous, there was no roll of the ankle or any change of direction, but he was in a lot of pain straight away and he just grabbed at that foot.

“It was just as he went to explode off the mark.”

Watch the moment Hawkins goes down in the video player above

Hawkins after limping to the bench. Pic: Michael Klein

Hawkins on crutches post-game. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Geelong coach Chris Scott post-game admitted the club was “concerned” about the injury but was quick to shut down any assertion it could be the end of his career.

“I can’t say the news is good news, but I’m not saying it’s bad either,” Scott said.

“He had to come off with a mid-foot issue, he has had a problem with his toe. It’s a fair way away from that, it’s not the same injury, but the experts we have don’t know so I certainly don’t have anything more to add.

“Yeah (it is the same foot he had surgery on), but I’d encourage you to not make that leap. To make that connection I think is a little premature.

“They’re not saying that (retirement) – and I certainly don’t want to say anything that alleviates the concern – because we’re concerned. But I don’t want to jump to conclusions either.”

Serious fears for Tom Hawkins' future

Footy fans watching on were all saying the same thing, believing the injury will bring the curtain down on Hawkins’ illustrious career.

Triple M’s Rudi Edsall wrote: “Massively concerned that’s a career-ender for Hawkins. Pretty torn up about it to be honest.”

ABC’s Kyle Pollard wrote: “Hawkins with the crutches is tough to see. Hope it’s not the last we see of him, but if it is, what an asset he’s been for the Geelong footy club.”

A second user wrote: “Really hope that’s not the last we ever see of Tom Hawkins. Looked like something a lot more serious than an ankle knock and the kick of the mouthguard summed it up.”

AFL great Garry Lyon believes the end is near for Hawkins with his recent form showing the time to bow out is upon him.

“We all know the end comes quickly, it jumps on your back. I hope he can get back before the end of the season, but what he’s been able to do the last month suggests his time is almost up,” Lyon said on Fox Footy.

“And it is impacting this footy club because he was not competitive tonight against, albeit against Jacob Weitering, but it is at that time now.

“Tom knows this better than me, you or anyone else … his time is rapidly coming to an end. That’s not a criticism, that’s reason to celebrate one of the all-time greats.”

Footy fans and Geelong faithful will now wait for the medical staff to deliver the news on what Hawkins’ latest injury is.

For the Cats, they’ll look to bounce back after losing six of their past seven matches when they take on Essendon in round 16.