GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 01: Tom Hawkins of the Cats acknowledgers the fans after the round 11 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans at GMHBA Stadium on June 01, 2019 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Star Cats spearhead Tom Hawkins has disclosed he has never had the thought about leaving Geelong for another club.

The club legend has played 325 games for the Cats, kicking a total of 725 goals whilst collecting two premierships along the way.

But after 16 years in the system, the key-forward revealed he has not once considered leaving the Pivot City, stating that winning and family come first and money second.

“I’m not across the salary cap and to elaborate on that in terms of what players are on, I obviously hear what’s speculated through the media." Hawkins told Sportsday.

“But talking through my position, I love my environment that I’m in, I love the people that I work with, they’ve got a really good understanding of me, I just feel really comfortable.

“To move clubs is a matter of picking up my family in my situation and moving away.

“It’s probably just something that hasn’t interested me as I’ve spoken to my wife about it over the journey.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JULY 25: Tom Hawkins of the Cats talks to team mates during the round 17 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Geelong Cats at Star Track Oval on July 25, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Whilst family comes before money for Hawkins, the constant winning mentality at the club since he arrived also plays a big part in making his career decisions easy.

“Ultimately winning helps,” Hawkins said.

“We get put in a position each year to be able to compete and it’s a wonderful thing being able to go into your work environment knowing that you’ve got every chance to succeed.

“I’ve had that throughout my whole career, and it’s probably been one of the key reasons why I’ve been able to play for so long.

“We’re completely removed from the ins and outs, let me be clear on that, with what’s going on with our salary cap.

“I just love my environment, that keeps me and my family happy.”

It's been widely reported that Hawkins is taking a massive pay-cut to be at the club next season, earning within the region of $300-400k for the year.

Hawkins and the Cats take on Brisbane this Friday night at the MCG for a spot in the grand final, with the first bounce at 7:50pm (AEST).