Geelong‘s veteran forward Tom Hawkins has swiftly dismissed rumors of retirement despite being seen on crutches following a foot injury sustained during the Cats’ 63-point loss to Carlton on Friday night.
Hawkins, 35, went down with a foot injury while leading for a ball, which appeared to have either caught the turf or rolled underneath him. He immediately limped to the bench and did not return to the game.
After undergoing scans over the weekend, Hawkins returned to the club on Monday but did not participate in the main training session. However, he was quick to address any concerns regarding his future in the sport.
“I can respect that there is interest with age and current form, but that’s far from my mind at the moment,” Hawkins said. “It was just a movement that I do every day training and playing.”
Geelong coach Chris Scott also weighed in, countering any suggestions that Friday’s match could be Hawkins’ last in the blue and white hoops.
“They are not saying (he’s done for the year) and I certainly don’t want to say anything that alleviates the concern because we are concerned, but I don’t want to jump to conclusions either,” Scott said post-match.
The Cats, currently holding an 8-6 record after 15 rounds, will likely face Essendon without Hawkins up forward. However, they have a chance to get their skipper, Patrick Dangerfield, back as the club prepares to challenge his one-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Carlton’s Sam Walsh.
- Dangerfield’s tackle has been graded as careless conduct, medium impact, and high contact, with the tribunal set to be held on Tuesday night.
