Mark Robinson believes Tom Hawkins’ recent inability to fire in big games is a big concern for Geelong heading into 2018.
The 29-year-old managed only one goal in his club’s season-ending 61 point preliminary final loss to Adelaide last night, meaning that the Cats spearhead has only kicked 17 goals in his past 10 games against top eight opposition.
With a summer of big change looming ahead for Geelong after a second consecutive preliminary final exit, the chief AFL writer for the Herald Sun says that Hawkins is one of a host of real concerns for coach Chris Scott to think about over the off-season.
“Tommy Hawkins is a terrific player, but when Tommy has a bad game, he really, really has a bad game,” said Robinson on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“He was beaten last night and players get beaten, it happens, but for the Cats to win, the tactic was to play (Paddy) Dangerfield at full-forward which meant Tommy had to go.
“He was OK up the ground, but he loses a bit of his lustre if he can’t mark and kick goals, so there’s an issue.”
Five-time Hawthorn premiership winning forward Dermott Brereton says that in comparison to Dangerfield up forward, Hawkins lacks the variety of “weapons” he can use to trouble opposition defenders.
“Tom Hawkins has two and that’s it. Push and shove in a one-on-one, if he can be there, or the quick lead which will last 20 metres. After 25 metres he’s decelerating on the lead,” he said.
“He’s very limited. In the trick bag of playing clubs, he’s got a one wood and a three wood and he’s got nothing in between.”
Robinson also took aim at fellow Cats forward Daniel Menzel, believing Scott’s reasons for not playing him two weeks ago against Richmond were on display at Adelaide Oval last night.
“Daniel Menzel got dropped for the two weeks previous and Scott took a kicking, but a couple of mistakes that Menzel made last night…Chris Scott had his reasoning for not playing him,” he said.