Geelong champion Tom Hawkins on the secrets behind his record-equalling feats

Those words from Tom Hawkins’ grandfather, on his mother’s side, since his junior days continue to reverberate as the veteran approaches a unique milestone at Kardinia Park on Friday night.

At GMHBA Stadium on Tuesday morning, with the 35-year-old set to equal his great mate Joel Selwood’s 355-game record in the hoops in a few days, the 790-goal champion was keen to deflect the attention to those who have helped ensure his remarkable longevity and durability, particularly outside Kardinia Park.

“He always used to say in my junior footy, head down arse up,” Hawkins said of his grandfather’s advice.

“Which is something that always sticks with me. He messages me before every game, so he’s racked up a hefty bill over the journey, he’s always said that to me.

“I think that’s something that always sticks with me in terms of a football sense.”

He said his parents and wife Emma had played important roles over the past 17 and a bit seasons, with Hawkins leaning on the support of people outside the changerooms and wider footy bubble.

“There’s ... some pretty tough times that you go through and you need support of someone away from that environment,” he said.

“Losing my mum was really challenging, my form through the early parts of my career, injury.

“There’s been lots of other little things, it wouldn’t be a career of 354 games that doesn’t go through some ups and downs.

“I would certainly like some things back but it’s helped shape and mould me into the person I am.

“All bar one, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

While he was always confident he could make a career out of football, he said it would have been a “long shot” to think back when he was living with Selwood as young Cats, they would one day share the club record.

Hawkins admitted he had considered the milestone’s significance the closer he got, and was still coming to terms with the achievement.

“It sort of doesn’t sit all that comfortably with me just at the moment,” he said.

“I never imagined this could be possible.

“I’m sure that six-year-old that started Auskick would be pretty amazed.”

Marvelling at his club’s ability to stay competitive and relevant, missing the finals just twice since tenure began in 2007, Hawkins said he had benefited from the toil of generations before him.

“I got to come into the organisation and reap the rewards of a lot of other people’s hard work,” he said.

“I’m surrounded by great people (at Geelong).”

However, with the 354-gamer copping some public criticism after a goalless month, Hawkins said he had no concerns about his own footballing mortality and when the end might come.

“I’ve got a great understanding of what makes me play well,” he said.

“I’ve got a great balance to be able to focus on what is football and then once I remove myself from this place I become a father, a part time farmer ... golfing enthusiast.

“I’m not overly worried.”

Meanwhile, former premiership captain Cameron Ling said Hawkins was a man of great integrity who lived and breathed the club-first ethos.

“I think genuine is a good way to describe him,” Ling said.

“He gets excited by other people’s success.”

Ling said the combination of an incredible workrate and his “most endearing quality”, selflessness, had made for a special Cat indeed.

“A reasonably rare quality for a key forward,” he said with a laugh.

Ling said Hawkins didn’t care who kicked the six-pointers, as long as he chipped in along the way: “It’s pretty remarkable.”

It was a sentiment shared by three-time premiership star Jimmy Bartel, praising his former teammate’s unique “care factor” for others.

“Not just for his teammates but everyone involved at the footy club,” Bartel said.

“People smile when they’re around him, he genuinely takes an interest in people.

“I think that gets taken onto the field.

“Chris Scott highlighted the other week, the guy’s kicked 800 goals but he’s nearly had that many goal assists.”

Missing the Round 10 match in Darwin

Hawkins admitted he might not be making the trip to Darwin for the Round 10 match against the Gold Coast next week.

With the 35-year-old poised to break the games record of 355, currently held by great friend Joel Selwood, there had been conversations about where the milestone would occur.

“I’ve had conversations and they’re ongoing conversations about how best to manage me as a player,” Hawkins said.

“I’m 36 in July so there’s an element that there’s always going to need to be management, things put in place ... to be at my best for as long as I can, they’re ongoing discussions.”

Guiding his heir apparent, Shannon Neale

The talented forward has been waiting in the wings since 2022 with Geelong starting the season in fine fashion, winning its first seven games.

And with a multifaceted forward line, including Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron, Brad Close, Tyson Stengle and Gryan Miers, Neale has had to bide his time.

The 21-year-old provided a further glimpse of what the future might hold against North Melbourne in Round 5, after Hawkins was managed out of the game at the last minute.

Hawkins praised Neale’s impressive skillset, indicating he was poised to play an important role this season.

“He’s a wonderful athlete, I just love his enthusiasm and drive to be better each day,” Hawkins said.

“He’s got a healthy appetite to want to get better, he’s going to forge himself a long career and he’s been playing some really good football.”

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Hawkins said Neale had maturity and patience beyond his years.

“We’re going to see a lot of Shannon, and I’m not sure how it’s going to play out during the season,” he said.

“There’s a really bright future ... and a great kid.”

Originally published as Geelong champion Tom Hawkins on the secrets behind his record-equalling feats