THREE-time Geelong premiership star Tom Hawkins will retire at the conclusion of Geelong\u2019s 2024 AFL season.<\/p>\n
The club\u2019s games record-holder informed his teammates of the news earlier today (Tuesday, August 6).<\/p>\n
To date, Hawkins has played 359 games in the hoops, as well as booting 796 goals.<\/p>\n
He was a member of Geelong\u2019s 2009, 2011 and 2022 AFL Premiership teams, as well as playing in the Cats\u2019 2007 VFL premiership side, and is an 11-time club leading goalkicker who also claimed the 2020 Coleman Medal.<\/p>\n
Hawkins is a third-generation Cats player, following in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather Fred Le Deux and father Jack Hawkins.<\/p>\n
Having played his junior football with Finley (in New South Wales), Melbourne Grammar and Sandringham Under 18s, Hawkins was drafted with the 41st selection in the 2006 National Draft under the father-son rule, debuting in Round 2, 2007 and kicking three goals in a 78-point victory against Carlton.<\/p>\n
After a coming-of-age finals series in 2011, Hawkins cemented his spot as the Cats\u2019 spearhead, and won the club\u2019s leading goalkicker award every year from 2012 to 2022.<\/p>\n
A powerful forward with strong hands and a reliable set shot, Hawkins\u2019 football is also characterised by his selflessness: he has dished off 296 goal assists over his career, and also had 2,011 score involvements since 2012.<\/p>\n