AFL 2024: Tom Hawkins says he has ‘a few balls in air’ for post-retirement life

Retiring Tom Hawkins has tried to savour his final months as an AFL footballer. The star forward reveals what he’ll miss most and what’s next.

Tom Hawkins speaks to media at Geelong’s Wacky Wednesday celebration at the Wharf Shed. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Retiring Geelong star Tom Hawkins says his life after football would start to take shape in the coming months.

Asked whether the 36-year-old could see himself working for the Cats in some capacity next year, Hawkins said those sort of decisions would be something he worked through later this year.

“I’ve got a few balls in the air,” Hawkins said.

“We’ll look to open up those sorts of conversations, probably not tomorrow but maybe after the weekend (grand final).”

Tom Hawkins arrives at Geelong Cats AFL players end of season celebration at the Wharf Shed. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Hawkins, who spoke to media as he headed into the Cats’ Wacky Wednesday celebrations dressed as Paris Olympic French pole vaulter and viral sensation Anthony Ammirati,said he had tried to soak up his final days and months as a footballer, which extends to Saturday’s motorcade for the retiring class on grand final day.

“I’ve known for a couple months now that it was going to be my last year, I’ve tried to savour every moment that I had in there which I certainly did,” he said.

“It obviously didn’t go the way we anticipated (in Saturday’s prelim loss to Brisbane) but out of my 18 seasons only three of them have so it’s certainly not a failure.

“The football club is in a wonderful position, there is some great people around and they’re the people I’m going to miss.

“I’m going to miss this sort of stuff (Wacky Wednesday), but I think it’s the people. And funnily enough, I’m going to miss training which 10 years ago I probably wouldn’t have said that.

“There is bigger and brighter things on the horizon for me and my family but looking forward to watching the Cats in the future from the stands.”

As for Hawkins’ tip in Saturday’s decider, while he credited the Lions’ performance against Geelong in the prelim as “edge of your seat stuff”, he would lean towards Sydney, who he felt had been the best team all year.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Tom Hawkins says he has ‘a few balls in air’ for post-retirement life