Power forward Tom Hawkins believes there’s no limit to what the Cats can achieve in 2016, as the end to what he calls “the hardest month of training” draws near.

Speaking with afl.com.au, the 27-year-old said new recruits Patrick Dangerfield, Lachie Henderson, Scott Selwood and Zac Smith had all made seamless transitions and bought into the “Geelong way”.

“It’s hard to come from other clubs and learn the Geelong way and … it doesn’t happen overnight,” Hawkins said.

“They’re great players, but they’re really good people so they’ve been able to – away from the training track – fit into our group really well.”

“That’s what we value as Geelong players – good people as well as good players.”

The Cats have been buoyed by a home run off-season but Hawkins says it’s good health and hard work that fuels the club’s optimism.

“We don’t set a limit on where we can get to,” Hawkins admitted.

“We’ve got a healthy list of players on the track at the moment. We believe we’re training well. The feel around the place is really optimistic.”

“I’m excited – as one of the older players and as a leader of the club – about the future.”

With just over a month to go until the Cats face Collingwood in their first NAB Challenge match on February 26 at Simonds Stadium, the two-time premiership star is simply itching for to the ball to be bounced.

“January is the hardest month of training. I just want January to finish … because it’s bloody hard,” Hawkins laughed.

“Like everyone, we just want NAB Cup to start and start playing games.”