Tom Hawkins’ contract saga with Geelong continues to drag on

Tom Hawkins’ future in the AFL remains up in the air with a former teammate spilling the beans on the ugly stand-off that’s unfolding.

Fresh details in star’s contract saga emerges. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Tom Hawkins’ contract saga with Geelong continues with drag on.

The star forward is keen to play on, but one former teammate revealed the two parties are “still a ways apart” on a new deal.

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Hawkins suffered a hamstring injury late in the season but with 347-games and 781-goals under his belt he isn’t ready to walk away just yet.

Former teammate Josh Jenkins revealed fresh details surrounding the ugly contract saga, noting Hawkins has been left “irritated”.

“He is a little irritated that it’s taken this long,” Jenkins said on AFL Trade Radio.

“There’s some ground to be covered for both parties from the Cats’ point of view.

“I owed him a call … he was willing to tell me that he and the Cats are still a ways apart with his new contract. I thought it would be someone’s desk already signed off on.

“I don’t think there’s doubt on him playing in the Cats’ jumper. I was pretty surprised to learn there was still some ground to be covered.

“I think he got tired late in the season because he did play every game. He just loves to play the game. He’s got a thirst for training and playing.”

Hawkins is reportedly frustrated at the situation. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Brownlow Medal winner Adam Cooney said the Cats would be silly not to lock the star forward down on a multi-year deal and urged the club to give him “whatever he wants”.

“It’s crazy that your superstar goal kicker and supreme forward remains out of contract in October with still a way to go to sign,” Cooney said on SEN’s Sportsday.

“You’d think they could possibly be haggling over the one year versus two years.

“But he has runs on the boards. He is still a magnificent player. If he wants two years, and the Cats say we’re only willing to give you one, I think that’s a bit of a shot across the bow for Tom Hawkins.

“Give him the two years, give him whatever he wants. He’s a star, he’s done everything for that football club.”

The standoff continues. Pic: Michael Klein

North Melbourne great David King said the club owed it to Hawkins to re-sign him given the pay cuts he’d taken for the better of the club.

“Don’t lose the soul of your football club like this,” King said on Fox Footy.

“This guy has played 350 games of football – he’s been there forever. Don’t allow him to exit like this – just get the deal done.”

Fellow panellist Ben Dixon agreed with King. “The average wage (for an AFL player) is $407,000 – he’s better than that,” he said.

As the rumours over Hawkins’ future swirl, Garry Lyon believes his former club should ask the question for the key forward.

“Tom Hawkins to Melbourne to finish his career for two years,” Lyon floated on SEN Breakfast.

“If they’re a fair way apart, as this is reported, then that’s a nice little place for Tommy to finish his career.

“I couldn’t imagine Tommy anywhere other than Geelong, but ask the question.”