Hawkins happy for plenty of game time
Tom Hawkins is keen to hit Round 1 full of running, declaring he wants to play as much of Geelong’s pre-season as he can to build match fitness.
KEY forward Tom Hawkins has declared he will put his hand up for both of Geelong’s JLT Series matches in a bid to enter the home-and-away season in the best shape possible.
Hawkins was on hand at Central Reserve in Colac yesterday to launch the AFL Country Festival with Richmond and Essendon great Kevin Sheedy, and said his aim was to play against Gold Coast in two weeks’ time and then Essendon in Colac on March 11.
The 29-year-old was one of several big name players for the Cats, who made the trip to Adelaide for the inaugural AFLX series but only played in two of the three matches.
Hawkins said while the decision was out of his hands he would push his case with the coaching group and club medicos.
“I only played 35 minutes over in Adelaide so I’m pretty open to playing both games if that’s the way the coaches want to go,” Hawkins said.
“I’ve always quite enjoyed playing the preseason games for match fitness in preparation for the season.
“Nothing is set in stone but I hope to get the opportunity to play in both games.
“I’m probably not the only one that is pretty keen to play some footy and I think it gets to late February and you’re busting your chops to play. I’m in that position and I’m excited whether I go to Townsville or not, and obviously playing down here in Colac will be great too.”
Hawkins backed his coach’s message that fans should get used to AFLX becoming a regular part of the sport moving forward.
Despite conceding the format was probably not suited to him, the two-time premiership player said he was confident that the traditional and new versions of the game could coexist.
“I really enjoyed it, it’s probably a game that doesn’t really suit me but I really enjoyed the opportunity to play and do something different,” Hawkins said.
“I think there is a great growth opportunity for AFLX and I think we’re quite a traditional country that doesn’t like to move away from our game that is over 150 years old.
“It is going to take a bit of time, like all other sports it takes time to develop, but I think AFLX has a great future.”
‘I’ve always quite enjoyed playing the preseason games for match fitness in preparation for the season.’ CATS FORWARD TOM HAWKINS