For a football club that was established 165 years ago, any record that gets broken is always a significant milestone. 

In 2024 that was no exception, as Tom Hawkins became Geelong's all-time games record holder in the Round 11 clash against GWS. 

The Cats games record has changed hands far more frequently in the past eight seasons, after Ian Nankervis held the title for over 30 years after his career ended in 1983. 

Corey Enright was the first to move into top spot, surpassing Nankervis in his final AFL season (2016) and finishing on 332 games. 

That record stood for another five years before Joel Selwood took the lead, moving past Enright in the 2021 Semi Final win against GWS. 

With one more season under his belt Selwood finished on 355 games, retiring on top after captaining the Cats to the 2022 Premiership. 

The stage was set for the 'Tomahawk' to break the all time record, reaching the milestone in Round 11 this year against the Giants at GMHBA Stadium. 

It was an incredible achievement 18 years in the making, fitting that he would take the honour from his great mate. 

Perhaps the most remarkable statistic on the day, was that Hawkins 356 games of experience was more than the Cats 10 least experienced players combined on the day (355 games). 

The match was an entertaining contest full of ebbs and flows, with both Geelong and GWS holding the ascendancy at different stages throughout the afternoon. 

The Cats booted five of the opening seven goals to build an early lead, before the Giants went on a run of their own kicking eight of the next nine majors. 

Trailing by 31 points midway through the third quarter, Geelong then regained momentum and booted five unanswered goals to hit the front midway through the final term. 

But with the game in the balance, Toby Greene proved to be the match-winner curling home an impressive goal to snatch victory late. 

In his milestone game, Hawkins finished with two goals, a goal assist and four marks inside 50 in a strong display.