Tom Hawkins’ four-goal performance in Geelong’s semi final victory against Collingwood on Saturday saw him join Gary Ablett Snr and Doug Wade as the only players in Geelong’s history to kick 600 career goals.
“I knew I was relatively close, but I didn’t know until I had finished the game,” Hawkins told K Rock Football post-game.
“I am a long way behind the two of them, but it is pretty humbling to be talked about in the same sentence for sure.”
There was a sense of calmness in the rooms following Geelong’s 68-point win against Collingwood and now the Cats turn their attention to a preliminary final against Brisbane.
“We caught up briefly before we sang the song and talked about what the opportunity that presents that is in front of us now.
“We knew we had to win three games and now the equation becomes two, so there is a real calmness amongst the group.
“We identified what we needed to do better and we executed, so I thought it was a really polished performance from all over the ground, from our defenders who I thought were outstanding and really lead the way, our midfielders got it done in and around the contest and when the ball was kicked forward I thought the forwards competed at the right time and finished our work.”
Hawkins enjoyed having Patrick Dangerfield play alongside him in attack with the pair combining to kick eight of Geelong’s 15 goals.
The move allowed Hawkins to push up the ground, a role that he believes suits him better.
“My role slightly changes just because of the power that Paddy has and provides along with Gary Rohan.
“It allows me to play a little bit higher which I personally think suits me better, I find that I am in the game a bit more and I can get up the ground and be a bit more of a link player, either when putting the ball inside 50 or providing a target.
“So, it definitely pushes me further up the ground but in saying that it also gives me the opportunity when Pat goes back on ball to slide back and play that deepest target at times, but it was nice to get up and around the footy a bit more.”
The Cats now have just under a week to prepare for Saturday’s preliminary final at the Gabba, which will commence at 7.40pm AEDT.
