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.
4. Round 7 vs Essendon (2023)
Hawkins aged like a fine wine.
At 34 years of age, against an Essendon side sitting in the top four, Hawkins delivered his career-best goalkicking game, booting eight majors in a dominant Cats win.
Geelong never trailed in the high-scoring affair, as Hawkins recorded a mammoth 12 marks, ten of which were inside 50.
An unselfish forward, Hawkins still managed two direct goal assists on top of his 8.1, and overall had a game-high 13 score involvements.
