Retired Geelong champion Tom Hawkins signs with Nutrien Ag Solutions

Recently retired Geelong Cats champion Tom Hawkins will join Nutrien Ag Solutions in the livestock division. See all the details.

Legendary Geelong footballer Tom Hawkins is moving from the field to the paddock joining Nutrien’s livestock team in a new role.

The three-time premiership player will swap the Cats’ blue-striped jersey for a green Nutrien shirt when he starts his role as livestock representative in the new year.

It’s something he is looking forward to. After growing up on the livestock and cropping property Springfield at Finley in the NSW Riverina, he said agriculture was a logical career step.

Hawkins has also established a rural property near Geelong and runs 45 Angus breeding females in an autumn-calving herd. He has an additional 60 cows and calves at Camperdown.

“I’ve been playing football for half of my life, and the thing about playing professional sport is, it comes to an end at some point, and I have to transition out of the game and into a different industry or field,” he said.

Hawkins said he had a lot to learn but was prepared to dip his toe into the water of agricultural marketing with a large agribusiness company.

Geelong vs Southport Sharks at GMHBA Stadium. Picture: Michael Klein

“It’s about understanding what the customer needs and wants and bringing my experience in football across to the ag industry,” he said.

Hawkins will be based at Nutrien’s head office in Melbourne and will also be a presence at selling centres such as Ballarat and Bendigo.

“I will try and get to sales around Victoria and interstate,” he said.

“I won’t necessarily always be behind the desk, and I am looking forward to meeting people in the industry.”

Hawkins said he wouldn’t rule anything out and was prepared to learn about all aspects of the livestock marketing and agency business.

In addition to working for Nutrien, Hawkins will join Fox Footy in 2025 in a commentary role. And he hasn’t discounted playing a game or two of country footy.

“The Finley footy club was a big part of my junior career,” he said.

While there are a lot of commitments on the calendar for 2025, he said there was a possibility he might line up for Finley during the Finley vs Deni game in the Murray Football League over Easter.

“I certainly won’t be playing a full season,” he said.

Hawkins said country footy was important for rural communities, and he loved the game and the people.

“I need to find my competitive release somewhere within the sporting arena. It won’t be the MCG with 80,000 people, but it might be social tennis or golf,” he said.

Nutrien East Region livestock and wool manager Adam Mountjoy said there would be learning on both sides with Hawkins entering the business.

He said the Nutrien team could learn a lot from Hawkins around his high performance and excellence in his chosen craft.

Former Geelong footy player Tom Hawkins will work for Nutrien in 2025. Picture: Monika Berry