Hawkins flying high for spry Cats
CATS coach Brad Scott says Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins is in better shape when he first started coaching the club’s star 10years-ago as the key forward moved into equal first in the Coleman Medal race.
Hawkins kicked five in the Cats 10-goal drumming of the previously high-flying St Kilda to go to equal with West Coast’s Josh Kennedy on top of the Coleman Medal leaderboard with 18.
Scott said Hawkins would play for the Cats throughout the fixture cram, as the Geelong coach paid tribute to the physical condition of the 32-year-old.
“There was never any intention, it‘s never been part of the plan to chop Tom out,” Scott said.
“That’s one, the position he plays, but also the way he’s learned to look after himself. By his own admission, he was always a talented player, but it took him a bit of time to learn to be a professional.
Hawkins was joined by Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield in the forward line at the opening bounces of the first and second quarters, before the 2016 Brownlow Medallist went into the midfield and caused havoc along with the excellent Sam Menegola, Mitch Duncan and captain Joel Selwood. CATS 2.4 7.5 11.7 14.9 (93) d SAINTS 2.1 4.6 4.8 4.10 (34) at The Gabba. Goals: Cats: Hawkins 5, Rohan 4, Menegola 2, Dangerfield, Duncan, Tuohy. Saints: Phillips 2, Battle, Billings