NSW/ACT Player of the Week: Tom Hawkins
By Alison Zell
Tom Hawkins was always destined to be a Cat. The son of Geelong champion ‘Jumping Jack’, Hawkins has the blue and white in his veins and can trace a Geelong heritage back three generations and nearly 100 years.
Before he was even old enough to be drafted, Geelong fans were pinning their hopes on Hawkins as the club’s next great full forward.
Described as “the best footballer I’ve seen…since Chris Judd” by Vic Metro coach David Dickson, he endured one of the most hyped and publicised entrances into the game since being selected as a father-son pick in the 2006 draft.
But for someone so connected to life south of the border, it was in the small Riverina town of Finley in southern New South Wales that Hawkins learnt his craft.
In a town of just over 2000 people, the Hawkins name always attracted attention and Tom attended Finley High School and played for the Finley Football Club before making the move to Victoria to board at Melbourne Grammar School at the age of 15.
With an imposing figure, even at that age, Hawkins’ unique combination of size and strength was recognised early when he was selected to play first XVIII while still in Year 10.
He was a highly decorated youngster and went on to captain his school team alongside Hawthorn draftee Xavier Ellis. Hawkins impressed in limited appearances with TAC Cup side the Sandringham Dragons and was awarded an AIS/AFL Academy Scholarship.
He represented Australia in the under 18s International Rules Series, was selected for Vic Metro in the 2006 under 18s National Championships and was awarded the Larke Medal as the most valuable player in Division 1 where he was named as the tournament’s All-Australian full-forward.
Hawkins was touted as a high first-round draft pick but his father’s 182-games for Geelong meant he was signed to the club under the father-son rule and was officially selected with pick 41 in 2006.
With a reputation as one of the finest young forwards in the game, Hawkins was immediately billed as the successor to the legendary Gary Ablett but injury delayed his senior debut until Round 2, 2007.
He began with a bang, kicking three goals in the Cats’ 78-point win over Carlton and followed it up with an even more impressive performance the following week where he kicked four first half goals and earned a NAB Rising Star Award nomination.
After 12 goals in nine games, question marks were raised over Hawkins’ fitness and he finished the season in the VFL.
Like most young players, Hawkins struggled with consistency early in his career. Although obviously talented, Hawkins was much maligned by commentators and fans alike when he couldn’t make an impact on a regular basis.
Some modest performances were teamed with patches of brilliance and a 2009 Premiership medallion; but it was in the 2011 Grand Final against Collingwood that the 24-year-old really came of age.
With James Podsiadly injured and with Geelong desperate for a spark, Hawkins booted three critical goals in the third term to help sweep the Cats to the premiership.
He has continued that explosive form into this season where he has played 20 of a possible 22 games and kicked 58 goals, putting him in third in the Coleman Medal Race behind Matthew Pavlich and Jack Riewoldt.
This breakout year has put Hawkins’ name up with some of the most elite full forwards in the competition.
This weekend Hawkins will play his 100th AFL game when his side takes on the Sydney Swans and perhaps fittingly, the game will be played at the Cats’ fortress – Simmonds Stadium – where it seems destined Hawkins would always end up.
TOM HAWKINS
Born: July 27, 1988 (24)
Origin: Finley, NSW
Games: 99
Jumper number: 26
Height: 197cm
Weight: 104kg
Position: Forward
