MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 18: Tom Hawkins of the Cats is tackled by Jordan Kelly of the Bulldogs (R) during the round 13 AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats at Etihad Stadium on June 18, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Geelong coach Chris Scott has backed spearhead Tom Hawkins to return to form, stating he has "great faith" in the two-time premiership forward.

Hawkins has struggled to find his best form this season, kicking 33 goals in 14 games, an average of 2.3 per game.

The 26-year-old has come under heavy scrutiny for his performances in recent weeks, with former North Melbourne champion David King even calling for Hawkins to be dropped to the VFL.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 18: Tom Hawkins of the Cats is tackled by Jordan Kelly of the Bulldogs (R) during the round 13 AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats at Etihad Stadium on June 18, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 18: Tom Hawkins of the Cats is tackled by Jordan Kelly of the Bulldogs (R) during the round 13 AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats at Etihad Stadium on June 18, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

However, Scott said he would not be making any such rash decisions, confident that his man will snap out of his form slump.

"If you're looking for big names to go out of our team this week, then I think you'll be disappointed," Scott told reporters on Wednesday.

"A big part of it is the way we're playing collectively, that needs to be better and our delivery needs to be better.

"I think we can kick the ball to him a little bit more, he's still a dominant player one-on-one, even when he's not quite at his best.

"Then there's the part that he needs to play as well. We'd like him to be a little more involved in the game.

"I'm unbelievably confident (he can turn things around), and I've got great faith in Tom."

Scott also played down the apparent rift between players Mitch Clark and Mitch Duncan.

"Let's be clear here, Mitch (Clark) thinks he overstepped the mark. It wasn't a huge step over and it's not something the AFL or our football club would consider serious enough to impose punitive action," Scott said.

"All the parties dealt involved dealt with it and were comfortable with the outcome, so the matter should be closed."

Geelong travel to Perth this week to take on the Dockers at Domain Stadium on Friday night.

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