Geelong veteran Tom Hawkins is committed to playing on in 2023 despite turning 35 next season, saying he will "absolutely" run out for a 16th season.
Speaking to media on Tuesday ahead of a big clash against the Western Bulldogs in Round 20, Hawkins was adamant that 2022 won't be the last time fans see him running around in the Geelong forward line.
"I'll be playing next year, absolutely," Hawkins said.
"That's certainly the plan. I know like anything when it comes to a player being out of contract, I know there's always chatter around what’s happening.
"I understand that being 34 it's not as much of a formality. But I'm looking forward to doing that (formalising the deal) when I get the opportunity to."
Hawkins has managed to play all 18 games so far in 2022, teaming up with teammate Jeremy Cameron to become a formidable forward duo. Hawkins has kicked 49 goals alone, currently sitting third on the Coleman Medal leaderboard.
With the Cats sitting on top of the table and putting themselves firmly in the premiership conversation, it's little wonder why Hawkins would want to extend his illustrious career, a career in which he has spent all 15 seasons with teammate Joel Selwood.
The two are set to mark game number 300 together on Saturday night when they run out in the blue and white hoops, while Selwood will celebrate a massive milestone of his own, set to become the first Cat to play game number 350.
"He's one of my best friends," Hawkins said when asked about his premiership teammate.
"We knew a little bit about each other before we got drafted.
"I vividly remember where I was when Geelong called out his name, and I thought, 'how good is this'.
"I was really excited to play a year or two with him. I didn't think it would eventuate into 300 games together as teammates.
"In my eyes, maybe I'm a bit biased, but I think he's one of the greatest – if not the greatest – Cats player to have ever played."
