ANOTHER hamstring injury to Geelong youngster Nakia Cockatoo did not occur because he was brought back into the senior side too soon, coach Chris Scott says.

Cockatoo, 20, put on a burst of speed early in the final term against Carlton at Etihad Stadium and slotted his third goal before he pulled up sore.

He left the ground and sat out the game, with the Cats 52 points ahead at that stage.

It was Cockatoo's first game since round 13, when he injured his right hamstring.

The 10th person drafted in 2014 hurt the same muscle against the Blues, although Scott was unsure after the game about the extent of the injury.

"(I'm) not exactly sure. It's hard to give a real clear diagnosis at this point," Scott said.

"The hope is that it (Cockatoo leaving the ground) was precautionary.

"He's got to know that sort of situation pretty well, so he knows not to take risks if he is feeling a little bit there.

"We're hopeful I think would be the expectation right at the moment."

Cockatoo did not return through the VFL but Scott was adamant that did not mean the 31-gamer's preparation had been rushed.

"It speaks to how highly we rate him that he came back into the side," Scott said.

"He had a very, very thorough rehab, so there can be no suggestion that he was rushed back.

"In terms of performance, players of his age tend not to miss big chunks of game time and walk straight back into the AFL 22, but we did that for a few reasons.

"One, because we rate him so highly as a player, and I think we saw things that showed that tonight.

"But also we've been happy to say publicly we are looking to get the group of players, particularly in our forward half, playing together for as much as possible before the end of the season.

"Because for reasons outside of our control, we just haven't been able to achieve that."

Another forward to excel in the 65-point thumping was Tom Hawkins, who impressed with a six-goal haul.

It was the first time he has kicked that many since the final round of last season, against Melbourne.

Scott said concerns about Hawkins' form were exaggerated.

"We actually have an emphasis to try to get the ball to him more in general. He's a good player," Scott said.

"I think some of the commentary around his form's been a little overblown. He kicked four goals (three) weeks ago [against the Brisbane Lions] – it's not as if he hasn't touched the footy."

Coming into Saturday night's game, Hawkins had booted 11 goals in eight games.

"Sometimes these things are a function of the esteem in which players are held. He's our No.1 key forward and he's played some really high level footy.

"If you compare his best footy to the last couple of months, you'd say he's probably a little bit down but I think like most teams throughout the competition this year, a lot of players will ebb and flow a little bit," Scott said.

"He was contributing and I think I heard Leigh Matthews say that we're a better team with him in it."

Geelong faces Sydney at Simonds Stadium next Friday night.