Announcing his retirement on Tuesday morning, Tom Hawkins is set to hang up the boots after an illustrious and loyal career at Geelong.
The New South Wales-born footballer has had a decorated career spanning 18 seasons, with 796 goals to his name. Hawkins broke the all-time Geelong games record, overtaking long-time teammate Joel Selwood earlier this year, and has the potential to become just the 12th player to kick 800 goals, if he can return from his foot injury suffered in Round 15.
A three-time premiership Cat, Coleman medallist and five-time All-Australian (including once as captain), we've reflected on the long career of Tom Hawkins, and determined his top performances.
5. Grand Final vs Sydney (2022)
11 years after he last tasted premiership glory, enduring a 2020 Grand Final loss and many earlier finals exits, Hawkins at last won a third premiership.
Playing a key role as a 34-year-old, Hawkins kicked the opening goal from a ruck contest in classic 'Tomahawk' style.
It was not long later where he would kick a second, beginning the opening charge by the Cats, who would lead by 35 at just quarter-time.
Hawkins scored the opening 13 points of the game, and continued to remain active throughout the match, tallying three goals and four behinds whilst accumulating four marks inside 50 and 14 disposals overall.
