HUNGRY HAWKINS

LESSONS LEARNT: Prelim loss in past as Cats primed for premiership push

A DRIVEN Tom Hawkins says the Cats have learnt valuable lessons from their heartbreaking finals exit last season, and make no secret of the fact they are pushing for a premiership in 2020.

Hawkins, 31, has also revealed he plans to play on for a number of years, with the Cats starting talks with his management about a new deal beyond the end of this season.

He missed Geelong’s preliminary final against Richmond last year after being suspended for striking

Eagle Will Schofield in a semi-final.

Compounding that pain, he was forced to watch from the coaches’ box as Geelong squandered a 21-point halftime lead against the Tigers before losing to the eventual premiers by 19 points.

Hawkins, who will play for the All-Stars against Victoria tomorrow night at Marvel Stadium, said the club had addressed what happened last September and moved on from the experience.

“Whether something goes right or isn’t successful, it is all about reviewing the process, and that’s what we did,” Hawkins said. “From everything you do or everything you are involved in — whatever it may be — there is always going to be an outcome.

“You can learn from that, and that’s what we did with last year’s prelim.”

“How you handle it is different for each individual … I certainly think addressing a few things that we highlighted as common themes throughout that second half (against Richmond) was the right thing.

“That means when the games are there to be won, and when the pressure comes on, we might be able to respond a bit differently.

“The reality in footy is you can look at the fact we were ahead, and Richmond came back and were too good. But there were many factors that go into why things happen the way they do.”

Hawkins said the support of his family and friends had been important when dealing with the disappointment of missing out on a crucial final, due to a preventable suspension.

He says the drive for a third premiership medal — his two flags (2009 and 2011) came before he turned 24 — is what motivates him.

“That’s the driving force behind me,” he said.

“I would love for those guys to taste a bit of success that I was lucky enough to have.

“I’m really looking forward to having that opportunity again, to hopefully go a couple of steps better than last year.”

He would also love to silence what he thinks are the unfair critics of coach Chris Scott, who point to his 4-11 finals record since coaching Geelong to a flag in his maiden season.

“I watch and read what happens in footy, but I think it is unfair at times,” he said.

“We put ourselves in these positions as players and coaches, and we want to be the best version of ourselves.

“Chris bears the brunt of being the face of the Geelong Football Club.

“He has to front up and deal with it, so hopefully if and when we win the next premiership that Chris is celebrated as the great coach he is.”

DAWN TO DARK CATS SEASON MAGAZINE: Saturday, March 14