Geelong champion Tom Hawkins faces uphill battle to return to Cats side after modest VFL return

All eyes were on Tom Hawkins in his return from injury in the VFL. And one of his teammates suffered an untimely blow. See how he and several other premiership Cats fared.

Tom Hawkins walks off post-game. Picture: Michael Klein

Geelong retiring champion Tom Hawkins faces an uphill battle to receive an AFL recall after a modest return from injury in the VFL as another premiership Cat put forward his case.

Hawkins gave renewed hope he could be considered for Geelong’s preliminary final with a hot start, clunking a contested mark and kicking a stunning snap goal from a forward 50 ruck contest.

But the Geelong games record holder, playing in his first VFL game in 13 years, had limited impact from thereon and missed a few chances on goal, finishing with 1.3 and 10 touches in their 29-point loss to Southport.

However, he wasn’t helped by some terrible kicks inside 50 by the Cats at times.

It came as forward Gary Rohan suffered an untimely concussion blow – his second head knock since July – in the first quarter from a glancing blow to the head, hurting his chances of playing again this season.

Tom Hawkins celebrates his first quarter goal. Picture: Michael Klein

Tom Hawkins had 10 touches. Picture: Michael Klein

The clash at GMHBA Stadium was the last chance Hawkins has to prove himself in a competitive match, with the VFL Cats out in straight sets.

Hawkins, 36, did show some promising signs and moved well, but it would be an enormous risk to bring him in for a preliminary final with just one game under his belt.

The 11-time Cats leading goalkicker needed a strong display after young key forward Shannon Neale’s nine-mark and two-goal display on Thursday night.

Geelong coach Chris Scott has said they are willing to play Neale, Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron in the same side but their current forward mix ran rampant against the Power.

Around 5000 Geelong locals came out to watch Hawkins in action and they cheered him on every time he touched the ball or came to the bench.

Meanwhile, dual best-and-fairest winner Cam Guthrie made an encouraging return, kicking a third quarter goal and showcasing burst on the outside and grunt at the coalface as he tallied 19 disposals, eight tackles and four clearances.

Defender turned ruckman Sam De Koning (16 disposals, 15 hitouts and six marks) also had some great moments with his overhead marking and work at ground level.

Young midfielder Mitch Knevitt, who was part of Geelong’s round 23 side, was the Cats’ clear best with a dominant showing, registering 39 disposals, 13 clearances and 10 tackles as an inside midfielder.

SCOUTING NOTES

Tom Hawkins

Wowed Cats fans with two big moments in the first quarter. His first touch of the footy was a big contested mark in front of his opponent on the wing. Then a few minutes later, he pulled out a classic Hawkins manoeuvre at a forward 50 ruck contest, swatting the big frame of Brayden Crossley away and snapping through a brilliant goal that had the crowd in raptures. From there he had limited impact, but a lot of that was the fault of his teammates who delivered the ball poorly inside 50. He could have had a few goals, missing two tough set shots from the boundary and a gettable left foot snap in the last quarter, also setting up Mitch Hardie for a goal with a nice pick-up and deft handball. Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Hawkins was his movement around the ground, appearing unaffected by his foot injury, ducking and weaving around an opponent in the third term.

Cam Guthrie

Guthrie started his first game since May off halfback but played more through the midfield as the game went on. His third quarter stood out, where he won more of the ball and slotted a set shot after taking a mark on the lead. Guthrie showed some impressive bursts – encouraging considering his achilles issues. However, his legspeed was exposed on one occasion by Jay Lockart in the second quarter when he blitzed away from him into goal. Guthrie’s disposal was poor at times but he had an impact on the inside and outside, laying eight tackles, and also took an eye-catching mark back with the flight in the last quarter. Geelong’s midfield was strong against the Power but don’t be surprised if Guthrie gets a call-up given their issues throughout the year.

Cameron Guthrie kicks a goal. Picture: Michael Klein

Sam De Koning

Spent most of his time in the ruck and was well beaten in the hitouts by former AFL ruckman Brayden Crossley, but around the ground was impressive. Some of his best moment came when he pushed behind the ball, taking a few intercept marks, and he showed courage to take a one-handed grab back with the flight on the wing. He displayed some good tapwork and followed up well at ground level, as he has done at AFL level when thrust into the middle. Expect him to come in, but will that be as a ruckman, a key defender, or both?

Mitch Knevitt

Knevitt needed a mammoth performance to put himself in selection contention and he did just that. The 193cm midfielder did it all - even jumping over the fence to retrieve the ball on the stroke of halftime – with his defensive intent, contested ball-winning, ability to spread and work in traffic standing out. Knevitt was up to 23 disposals, 10 clearances and eight tackles at halftime and finished with a triple double. The 21-year-old played in their loss to St Kilda in round 23 so it is not out of the question for him to earn an unlikely preliminary berth.

Originally published as Geelong champion Tom Hawkins faces uphill battle to return to Cats side after modest VFL return