Geelong champion Tom Hawkins not ruled out for Round 24 as Sam De Koning undergoes procedure

Tom Hawkins’ return timeline has changed, but he is still a chance to return before the end of the home-and-away season. Plus, a key Cat has undergone surgery.

Tom Hawkins. Picture: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images

Geelong champion Tom Hawkins is racing the clock to return before the end of the regular season, with the retiring goalkicker in doubt for a GMHBA Stadium farewell in round 24.

Hawkins had been on track to return from his foot injury in Geelong’s last home-and-away clash against West Coast — listed as two weeks away last Tuesday, hours after he announced he would hang up the boots at the end of the season.

But Geelong’s injury list this week still says he is expected to return in two weeks. If the Cats stick to that time frame he would miss both of their matches to finish the season and only be available for a possible qualifying or elimination final.

However, the club says the two-week injury list time frame isn’t definitive and haven’t ruled out a round 24 return for Hawkins, which would likely be his final game at Kardinia Park.

The Geelong games record holder said last week he was “quietly confident” of making a return to the field before he bows out.

Hawkins is back running and posted on Instagram on Monday saying: “Today was a step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, key defender Sam De Koning will miss up to a fortnight after undergoing a minor procedure on his knee on Tuesday.

Coach Chris Scott was hopeful that he would miss just one week with the injury after being rested for the trip to Perth, but assistant football boss Brett Johnson said he will return in the next 1-2 weeks.

“It is unfortunate for Sam, but he is ready to tackle his rebab head on. We look forward to seeing him back in the coming weeks,” Johnson said.

Midfielder Tanner Bruhn was subbed out in the win over Fremantle with concussion and will miss at least a week under the AFL’s protocols.

Bruhn, dual best-and-fairest winner Cam Guthrie (achilles), Mark O’Connor (knee) and youngster Ted Clohesy (concussion) have all been listed as ‘TBC’.

The Cats said it unclear when Guthrie, who hasn’t played at any level since round 10, and O’Connor will return, while Bruhn and Clohesy will be monitored after their concussion blows.

Originally published as Geelong champion Tom Hawkins not ruled out for Round 24 as Sam De Koning undergoes procedure