Geelong Cats: Tom Hawkins boots eight goals to put away Essendon

Tom Hawkins has kicked his career best haul in the Cats’ win over Essendon, and coach Chris Scott does not see the end in sight for the veteran forward.

Matthew Forrest

@mattforrest29

2 min read

April 30, 2023 - 5:34PM

Geelong Advertiser

The numbers behind Hawkins’ career-best day, at age 34. Picture: Michael Klein

Geelong forward Tom Hawkins has shaken off any discussions around a slow start to the season, booting a career high eight goals in the win over Essendon.

The veteran Cat put on a vintage performance in the opening quarter of Sunday’s clash with Essendon, kicking 4.1 from six disposals and five marks to open the match with a 27-point lead at quarter time.

In doing so, Hawkins passed both Barry Hall and Saverio Rocca to move into outright 15th overall in the VFL/AFL goal kicking books.

Tom Hawkins kicks his way past Sav Rocca. Picture: Michael Klein

Hawkins also became Geelong’s leading in marks taken, passing Corey Enright who took 1836 across his 332 game career.

The 34-year-old key forward ended with 8.1 from his 15 disposals in the 28-point win, marking his career best at 34 years old.

Coach Chris Scott said the club knew Hawkins needed match fitness to build into the year after off-season foot surgery, and he could still be a dominant key forward in the competition.

“At some point he’s not going to be able to maintain this level, I don’t think it’s going to come quickly,” he said.

“Logic has to take over at some point, he can’t do it forever, but I still marvel at what he can deliver, he doesn’t look like he’s near to the end for me.

Hawkins booted his career-best eight goals in the win. Picture: Michael Klein

“He was the most important in that decision-making process (of playing the opening three rounds)... the medical staff were confident his specific injury was going to be okay.

“When it came down to a match fitness thing, as long as he was confident he could work his way through it.”

The Cats dominated forward of centre, converting 54.7 per cent of their inside 50s into scores, while Essendon went at a poorer 48.9 per cent.

Hawkins’ strong performance in the first quarter was infectious, with his teammates getting in on the action of clunking marks.

Geelong recorded 19 marks inside 50, as well as 11 contested marks, resulting in a dominant scoreline.

Jeremy Cameron was kept relatively quiet, for his standards, only kicking three goals from 18 disposals.

Another Hawkins goal. Picture: Michael Klein

The Sam De Koning ruck experiment continued for the second straight week, with the young star starting the game in the centre square.

Coach Chris Scott clearly liked what he saw in the De Koning/Mark Blicavs combination against Sydney, opting to leave Jon Ceglar in the VFL side after he was a late out last week.

With Sam Draper and Andrew Phillips as Geelong’s direct opponents in the ruck, the Bombers won the hit out count 48 to 36.

Geelong’s midfield was able to shark Essendon’s taps, winning 46 clearances to 38.

The Cats will now turn their attention to the Crows, with their clash set for Saturday afternoon at GMHBA Stadium.