There has been a subtle shift in Geelong’s forward line.

With former champion defender Corey Enright taking the reigns as the Cats forward coach, the Cats have re-structured their forward set up with some of the results instant.

Although the Cats haven’t had as many inside 50s as they would have hoped for across three of the first four rounds, their efficiency in scoring from these entries has been number one in the AFL.

But what are the real differences for the Cats?

Firstly Tom Hawkins roles has dramatically changed. Whilst he is still the Cats number one target when going inside 50, his influence on the scoreboard is different whilst still being just as important. 

Hawkins currently leads the AFL in goal assists. With eight goal assists across the first four rounds, Hawkins leads the table with the Giants Dylan Shiel, Tiger Shane Edwards and Hawk Cyril Rioli. All the players are vastly different to Hawkins but the thing they all share is incredible field kicking.

Hawkins has his lowest tally of goals by round four since 2011, but he is currently fifth in the AFL for total scoreboard impact behind the top four in the Coleman race.

What is has meant for the Cats though is that fellow forward Daniel Menzel has been able to play a deeper role, gaining more one-on-ones and as a result sits second in the total scoreboard impact in the AFL.

Does this mean we’ve seen the end of the days of Hawkins being the Cats main focal point in the forwardline and as a result, a reliance upon him for the Cats scoreboard pressure? 

The answer to that lies in the Cats personnel. This year the Cats have been able to deploy a much higher pressure forwardline that contains small/medium forwards such as Tim Kelly, Lachie Fogarty and Cory Gregson. The Cats weren’t afforded that luxury last year when injuries riddled their small forwards.

The issue that comes with the Cats current small forwardline is the three previously mentioned players have only played the four games so far this year together with Kelly and Fogarty arriving in the draft and Gregson getting his first chance at AFL football in two years.

But that challenge will become an opportunity as Hawkins and Menzel grow into their new roles and Kelly, Fogarty and Gregson learn to operate at the feet of their focal points.

 Note. Dustin Martin (12 goals, five goal assists) not included as doesn't sit in top four for goals or goal assists.