Tom Hawkins still aspires to play again this season, but the geelong champion has announced he will retire at the end of the 2024 campaign. The Geelong games record holder informed his teammates on Tuesday that he would end his decorated 18-year career, which includes three premierships and a remarkable streak of 11 consecutive club leading goalkicker titles.
Despite suffering a foot injury in round 15 against Carlton, the 36-year-old Hawkins is determined to make a comeback, with the Cats hoping he can return to full training within two weeks and push for finals selection.
Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie, who played alongside Hawkins for more than a decade, praised the star forward as a ‘generational player.’
“Tom has been an incredible presence both on and off the field at Geelong for the past 18 years, with his ability to play consistently at an elite level, along with humility and care for his teammates, trademarks of his career,” Mackie said. “He is a generational player who will rightly be celebrated for his achievements on the field, as well as the role he has played in shaping our club into what it is today. We thank Tom, his wife Emma, and their children Arabella, Primrose, and Henry for all they’ve given our club.”
Earlier this season, Hawkins surpassed his close friend and former teammate Joel Selwood to break Geelong’s all-time games record, which now stands at 359. Hawkins’ illustrious career with the Cats includes three premierships, most recently their 2022 triumph over the Swans.
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