GEELONG key forward Tom Hawkins will enter the home and away season feeling fit and confident after an impressive showing in the Cats' narrow practice match loss to North Melbourne on Friday night.
Hawkins moved freely throughout the contest, booting three goals and taking a number of strong marks.
Having been hindered by a back problem last season, Hawkins' return to fitness has him enjoying his footy again.
And he's now counting down the days until Geelong's round one clash with Adelaide at Simonds Stadium on Thursday, March 20.
"I can't wait," he said after the nine-point defeat at the hands of the Kangaroos on Friday night.
"I've had enough of practice games. I'm ready for the real stuff, so it's really exciting."
Because the clash with the Crows is almost two weeks away, Hawkins and his teammates have been given a three-day break before preparations for the game begin in earnest.
"I'm going to get out of town and get away from Geelong mentally, and that should freshen me up and I'll come back ready to attack the start of the year," he said.
Although Hawkins is raring to go, it remains unclear which of the club's big men will partner him in attack now that Nathan Vardy is out for the season.
Mitch Brown filled the role for a large part of the clash with North Melbourne, but he had little impact on the match.
Ruckmen Hamish McIntosh and Dawson Simpson also spent some time up forward, yet neither of them are likely to hit the scoreboard very often.
Promoted rookie Josh Walker and untried sharp-shooter Shane Kersten, who is struggling to overcome knee problems, are other options.
"We've had a few different talls and [we're] also experimenting with Jimmy (Bartel) down forward," Hawkins said. "He's going to be a really valuable asset to the forward line.
"He'll still get his chance to play mid and down back at times, but he's smart and a good contested footy player.
"He's really experienced and that'll help us, because we are a bit of a young group."
Twitter: @AFL_AdamMcNicol http://afl.to/adammcnicol
