Search

show me:

Geelong's Hawkins not thinking retirement

3 minute read

Geelong forward Tom Hawkins says he's feeling fresh both mentally and physically as he prepares to line up for his 250-game milestone against Sydney on Sunday.

TOM HAWKINS of the Cats is tackled by Jordan Kelly of the Bulldogs (R) during the AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
TOM HAWKINS of the Cats is tackled by Jordan Kelly of the Bulldogs (R) during the AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Geelong's milestone man Tom Hawkins has set his sights on playing for many more years to come, saying retirement isn't on his mind.

Hawkins will notch his 250-game milestone in Sunday's AFL clash with Sydney at the SCG.

The 31-year-old battled painful back issues in 2013 that threatened to cut short his career.

But Hawkins overcame that injury and is now feeling as strong as ever, with retirement not featuring in his plans.

"No absolutely not," said Hawkins, who is contracted to Geelong until the end of next year.

"I feel really good physically. I'm really enjoying playing with this current group of players.

"I'm going to be trying to play as much footy as I can for the football club moving forward.

"I envisage myself playing many more years. But you need a lot of luck.

"I'm well aware that when you get a bit older, how hard the game becomes. I'll just take it one year at a time, one milestone as a time."

Hawkins is showing no signs of slowing down, having booted 42.19 from 17 games this season.

But Geelong's form as a whole is looking wobbly, with losses to Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, and Hawthorn over the past five games exposing the Cats' weaknesses.

The Cats now look a shadow of the team that opened the season with a powerful 11-1 record.

But Hawkins is confident the wins will flow again once the team improves its ball movement.

"I'm not worried," Hawkins said.

"Internally we're not skirting the issue at all. We're really healthy and happy. The group's really positive.

"It (our ball movement) just feels a bit inconsistent in terms of moving quick and then moving slow.

"We're not necessarily going to be playing bull out of the gate and take risky options (to fix that). We're going to play with composure that our game style allows us to."

Despite their recent form slump, Geelong remain one win clear on top of the ladder with just five rounds remaining.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au