“From what the scans have come back and shown there’s a bulged disc and it’s just about management.
“Some people need to do a few things like pilates and swimming and that fixes them, but for me it’s been a bit more of an ongoing thing.”
Hawkins admitted the toughest thing was his body holding him back from playing the way he wants.
“I think that’s the most frustrating thing about it but I’m not sitting here feeling like I’m the only one whose had an injury that they’ve had to play through, AFL players do that all the time so I’m not alone.”
Hawkins explains to Ling the highly scrutinised incident from last week’s game against Port Adelaide where he appears stiff and unable to bend down to pick up the ball.
“So it was a combination of a few things, the ground was really boggy and a few little things joined together probably made me feel a little bit stiff.
“I just wasn’t expecting it to come in so quick, it skidded in and bounced into my shins and it didn’t look good, I looked like an old man.”
Chris Scott was quick to defend Hawkins after that match, something the tall forward appreciates.
“I’ve known throughout my whole career that I’ve had the support of my coach and my footy club and my teammates.
“I can see why the crowd is frustrated, I’m sure I can be very frustrating at times for supporters.”
After missing the weekend’s game in Perth, Hawkins was adamant he is ready to go for this week’s game against Sydney.
“As long as the coach selects me I’m ready to go as of next week so I’ll wait and see.”
