Geelong champion Hawkins to bow out at season’s end

Tom Hawkins has announced that he will retire at the end of the 2024 season.

The Geelong champion will bow out of the game once the Cats have wrapped up the current campaign.

Hawkins, 36, is striving to return to action from a foot injury with the Cats likely to embark another finals campaign.

He is the club’s games record holder with 359 games and is a three-time premiership player. He has kicked 796 goals as an 11-time leading goal kicker and one-time Coleman Medallist.

“It’s been a hell of a ride, a wonderful journey,” Hawkins said in a video to Cats fans.

“It’s been an awesome journey, it’s certainly not over yet. Some exciting times to come as we embark on the back half of the season.

“I’m looking forward to seeing you and hopefully being out there soon.”

“Tom has been an incredible presence both on and off the field at Geelong for the past 18 years, with his ability to play consistently at an elite level, along with humility and care for his teammates, trademarks of his career,” GM of football Andrew Mackie said in a club statement.

“He is a generational player who will rightly be celebrated for his achievements on field, as well as the role he has played shaping our Club into what it is today.

“We thank Tom, his wife Emma, and their children Arabella, Primrose and Henry for all they’ve given our Club.”

Hawkins was drafted as a father-son selection in 2006 and has since become one of the preeminent key forwards of his generation.

His 359 games sits top at Geelong and 15th on the all-time V/AFL list. His 796 goals is third most in the blue and white hoops and 13th all-time.

He won the Carji Greeves Medal in 2012 and is a five-time All-Australian (2012, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022) including once as captain.