Tomahawk helps the Crows fly

BEAUFORT couldn’t have scripted a better finish to Geelong legend Tom Hawkins’ cameo appearance for the club in last Saturday’s CHFL clash against Hepburn.

The three-time premiership Cat put the lid on a truly memorable 36-point win and day for the Crows by booting a goal after the siren.

It was his fourth for the game – all four coming in the second half as Beaufort notched up only its second win for the season.

Hawkins was quickly mobbed by his new teammates, much to the delight of a grand final-like size crowd at the Goldfields Recreation Reserve, many of them travelling from far and wide from places like Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo and Horsham.

 

The 36-year-old’s appearance was made possible by Beaufort’s inclusion in the popular Carlton Draft, an initiative that enables struggling country clubs to access a retired former AFL star for a one-off appearance.

He did not disappoint, getting better as the game wore on and playing an instrumental role in the Crows’ second-half resurgence after they had trailed by 15 points at the main break.

Crows co-captains Cormac Mahony and Levi Cox could not speak highly enough of Hawkins’ efforts to embrace his new teammates, the football-netball club and the wider town.

“He definitely worked into the game. You could see in the second half if you just get the ball in his vicinity, he makes something happen,” Cox said.

“Even more so for the guys around him at his feet, as he draws two of three opponents. That benefits the rest of the forwards.

 

“I got a bit nervous when they got it back to seven (points) in the last – I thought here we go again.”

While wins have unfortunately been scarce for the Crows over the past three years, Mahony declared this one a big deal.

“It was a huge win for the playing group and the club,” he said.

“It’s a great initiative, the Carlton Draught. You can see by looking around what it means to a club like ours.”

Cox said Hepburn have run over the top of them in previous games, but this one was “awesome.”

“That felt pretty good. It was one of the best wins I have been a part of it,” he said.

Taking his responsibility of welcoming Hawkins to Beaufort earnestly, Mahony relinquished his usual number 26 jumper, allowing Hawkins to don the number he wore with such distinction across his 359 games with the Cats.

“It’s his number – I think he’s earned it,” Mahony said.

 

“I got to do a little presentation for him at the start of the game and talk about what the jumper means at the club.

“The last guy to wear it (before Mahony) Jacob Garvey was one of the best footballers our club has ever had.

“I regard wearing it as a real privilege and I was keen to communicate that it did mean a lot to the club.”

Tasked with standing Hawkins for the bulk of the day, Connor Matheson was officially named as Hepburn’s best in the loss.

A newcomer to the club from Surfers Paradise Demons in the QAFL, Matheson boasts an impressive football resume as a former member of the Gold Coast Suns Academy and a Suns VFL player.

He said Hawkins was an assignment like none other in his football career.

“He’s a big boy. I don’t think I understood how big he was until I was standing next to him,” said Matheson, who rated former Brisbane Lions forward Matthew Hammelmann (12 AFL games between 2025-17) as his previous toughest opponent.

 

“He’s a ripping bloke, Tomahawk. To have a kick and to help out a local club is great for the game.

“It was good to be a part of the day. Obviously, we would have liked to have spoiled their party.

“But credit to them, it was a hard-fought game, but they really hit their straps in the second half.”

Off the field, the day was a resounding success as the whole community rallied to take on the various tasks, from running food and beverage outlets, to manning the gate and car parking and selling raffle tickets.

Beaufort Football Netball Club president Nick Franc praised the generous community spirit.

“(It was) so satisfying to see so much positivity and enjoyment, and it was an event we’ll all remember for a long time,” he said.

“This wasn’t just a football-netball event, it was something the whole town got behind, and was only possible because of our marvellous volunteers.

“Hats off to all.”

Happy to get a glimpse up close of her all-time favourite Geelong player, Sharlene Turner travelled from Ballarat for the game.

Turner proudly donned her number 26 Geelong jumper for the occasion, which bears the signatures of retired great Joel Selwood and current players Patrick Dangerfield, Rhys Stanley and Jed Bews.

“I’m missing a signature though, so I’d love to get that today,” she said.

“I just love him.

“He’s a goalkicker. I used to play netball (for Moyston-Willaura) and I was a goal shooter, so we share that love for a goal.”