Tom Hawkins denies staging after fans accuse AFL star of taking blatant dive

Tom Hawkins was at the centre of controversy as AFL fans erupted in a fit or rage, but he says he didn’t do anything wrong.

Tom Hawkins is playing a straight bat.

Tom Hawkins has responded after footy fans accused the Geelong star of staging to score a free kick during Monday’s loss to Hawthorn.

After getting away with a clear push in the back on Harris Andrews during Round 4’s win over Brisbane, Hawkins was again at the centre of controversy as the Hawks upset the Cats 14.8 (92) to 11.14 (80).

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The key forward was awarded a free kick in a marking contest in the third quarter but many viewers suggested the spearhead had exaggerated contact from defender Sam Frost.

The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph said on Twitter Hawkins “will definitely get a fine for ‘excessive exaggeration’” but that was of little comfort to Hawthorn at the time. Making matters worse, the Hawks were pinged for umpire dissent over that decision, gifting Hawkins a 50m penalty and allowing him to stroll into the goalsquare for an easy major.

Speaking after the game, Hawkins said there was nothing untoward in his conduct but acknowledged he may have been on the receiving end of a favourable call.

“I think it was clear to see. I was outnumbered around the footy. I jumped and obviously Frost is strong himself and it got me at a poor time,” Hawkins told Seven News.

“I know it’s going to be really controversial.

“These decisions are really hard for an umpire to make split-second. I’ve been on the end of two that have been quite favourable but I’m sure, swings and roundabouts, it’ll come back the other way.

“It was a great spectacle of football today. I don’t think we should take it back to decisions that were made in a split-second. It’s really hard for the umpires.”

So, Hawkins gets a goal, yet in every likelihood will be given a fine for staging.

🤦‍♂️#AFLHawksCats

— Shane McInnes (@shanemcinnes) April 18, 2022

Hawkins getting a free kick for a push in the back that wasn’t a push in the back will likely make Harris Andrews fall off his couch.

— Darren Parkin (@Darren_Parkin) April 18, 2022

Tom Hawkins is now a Shooting Stars meme. I will not apologise for this pic.twitter.com/MFyyBCbY2T

— Ethan (@ethanmeldrum_) April 18, 2022

Accusations of Hawkins playing for a free kick was only the beginning of a furore that has sent footy fans into a frenzy.

The rule about 50m penalties being handed out for abuse or dissent towards umpires has become a joke, with players now getting pinged for simply holding their arms out, even if they don’t say anything.

Frost didn’t say anything to the umpire but Tom Mitchell and Jack Gunston were penalised for gesturing with their arms.

It comes after Lions defender Andrews was punished for the same offence on Thursday night against Collingwood.

Collingwood legend Dane Swan said the rule needed to be removed while Demons great Garry Lyon was scathing.

“What we’ve seen this weekend suggests there’s a crisis that (AFL football operations boss) Brad Scott has to sort out tomorrow morning,” Lyon told Fox Footy.

“It’s a disgrace what we’ve seen this weekend.”