Geelong champion Tom Hawkins says he is still contributing to the team despite a goalless month
A Geelong champion’s former premiership teammates say the critics are not looking at the full picture when questioning his recent form issues.
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Champion Geelong forward Tom Hawkins is aware he’s not quite in peak form right now but firmly believes he’s still contributing to the Cats’ golden run.
The 35-year-old was held goalless for the fourth straight match against Melbourne on Saturday night at the MCG with some critics, including former Essendon goalkicker Matthew Lloyd, questioning if his best was in the rearview mirror and his pace had deserted him.
On Tuesday at GMHBA Stadium, with Hawkins just days away from equalling the club’s record of 355 games – held by his great friend Joel Selwood – the 790-goal veteran said he still had plenty to offer the 7-1 Cats.
“I’m well aware I’m not in great touch at the moment,” Hawkins said.
“But I feel like I’m still playing a significant role within the team.
“We’ve got so many avenues towards goal, which hasn’t always been the case during my time at Geelong.
“Yes, I would like to be a bit more influential in the games.
“I just need to have a little bit more influence.
“It’s a small speed hump, I’ll manage my way through it and no doubt be fine.”
When asked if public criticism would inspire him to return to form against Port Adelaide on Friday night at Kardinia Park, Hawkins quickly put the theory to bed.
“I’ve never played football like that,” he said.
“I think (the criticism is) just football, I’m a key forward that’s had a habit of kicking goals over the past 10 years.”
Hawkins said he brought more to the table than just six-pointers, including forward 50 ruck contests and expert vision to bring teammates into the game.
“I’ve always though I add more than just my ability to kick goals,” he said.
Also at GMHBA Stadium on Tuesday was premiership captain Cameron Ling, who said critics were quick to rush to judgement of the form of the game’s stars.
“I think everyone’s quick to go to the goals and behinds column for a forward without fully understanding or appreciating what else is going on,” he said.
“We jump straight to stats.”
Ling said he sat several rows behind the goals during the Cats’ game against Carlton in Round 7, marvelling at the veteran’s workrate while manned by the Blues’ Jacob Weitering, allowing Jeremy Cameron to flourish with five goals.
“It probably even gave me a higher appreciation of, and I didn’t need much more, to see what he does to help the team get goals,” Ling said.
Meanwhile, three-time premiership Cat Jimmy Bartel said criticism of Hawkins unfortunately came with the territory for a player aged over 30.
“I think once players get over the age of 30, they’re not allowed to have bad games,” Bartel said.
“He still commands the opposition’s best key defender.”
Bartel said Hawkins brought more things to the table than just goals with his level of score involvements still impressive.
“He’ll still be a 30-plus goalkicking forward this year,” he said.
“Every side, if you said: ‘Do you want a 30-goal kicker in your forward line?’ they’re taking it straight away.”
Originally published as Geelong champion Tom Hawkins says he is still contributing to the team despite a goalless month
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