Adam Cooney cannot work out why Geelong have not already re-signed Tom Hawkins for next season.
It is believed that the 35-year-old veteran forward and the Cats are some ways apart in their negotiations regarding a new deal for 2024.
Hawkins’ former Cats teammate Josh Jenkins spoke of the situation on AFL Trade Radio on Monday.
TOM HAWKINS AND GEELONG “SOME WAYS APART” ON 2024 CONTRACT
In response to that, Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney believes the Cats would be foolish not to lock Hawkins down for the next couple of seasons.
“It’s crazy that your superstar goal kicker and supreme forward remains out of contract in October with still a way to go to sign,” Cooney said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“You’d think they could possibly be haggling over the one year versus two years. We know he had that foot injury leading into the Grand Final (last year) and then delayed surgery after the Grand Final to holiday, then came back and got the surgery which delayed him in his pre-season slightly.
“But he has runs on the boards. He is still a magnificent player. If he wants two years, and the Cats say we’re only willing to give you one, I think that’s a bit of a shot across the bow for Tom Hawkins.
“He still trains just about every session, or did up until this year. We know he had a couple of injuries, but he still monsters defenders. He keeps them up at night before games and he’s got two years of footy left in him.
“And if he doesn’t, give him the two years and they’ll come to an agreement at the end of 2024. He’s a noble guy, Tom Hawkins. If he wants his two years, and then falls apart halfway or three quarters of the way through next year, I’m sure he would sit down with the club and say, ‘Let’s end on mutual terms here and part ways’.
“Give him the two years, give him whatever he wants. He’s a star, he’s done everything for that football club.”
Cooney believes Hawkins’ loyalty over the years in remaining in the blue and white hoops while agreeing to contracts under what he is worth should count for something.
He has played 347 games, just eight short of former teammate’s Joel Selwood club record, and kicked 781 goals over 17 seasons which according to Cooney should simply equate to a new deal.
“We never in our wildest dreams thought this would even be remote a possibility,” he added.
“But when it is October and you remain out of contract and you’re a free agent and you’re still a ways to go before signing, inevitably as the seconds tick by the speculation grows more and more.
“I honestly don’t believe that Tom Hawkins will leave the Cats. He’s a much-loved and revered figure there. It just depends on will Geelong bend the contract negotiations that Tom wants.
“He’s been pretty good to the Cats over the years in terms of his deals. He could have asked for a lot more and he’s played on less than he’s been worth for a few years now to try and keep that group together.
“He got them a premiership and could have said, ‘I want my $1.2 million a year and stuff everyone else. Bad luck if we don’t get Jeremy Cameron, I want my money, I deserve my money’.
“He didn’t, he’s unselfishly took less than what he’s worth. If he says to them, ‘I want two years’, I think that Geelong owe him that.”
Hypothetically, if Hawkins were to up and leave GMHBA Stadium, were would he be best suited?
Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon believes the Demons would be a great fit for the three-time premiership player.
“Tom Hawkins to Melbourne to finish his career for two years,” Lyon floated on SEN Breakfast.
“If they’re a fair way apart, as this is reported, then that’s a nice little place for Tommy to finish his career.
“I couldn’t imagine Tommy anywhere other than Geelong, but ask the question.”
The 11-time leading goal kicker and five-time All-Australian signed a one-year deal with the Cats last October after helping guide the club to the 2022 premiership.