Tom Hawkins 350 games - What is his standing in the game?

[Cmarsh]

Hawkins will run out for his 350th next week. At 35 I still regard him as one of the best key forwards in the game currently.

3x premierships
1x Coleman
5xAA's including 1x AA captain
11x leading Geelong goalkicker
1x Geelong B & F

Pretty handy career.

 

[RUNVS]

Clearly behind Buddy, but in the conversation as the second best Key Forward of the 21st century with both Reiwoldt's and Kennedy.

 

[T2B_]

Great, possibly underrated player. Been more than handy in clutch situations for the Cats too.

 

[NetworkNerd]

Took him 3-4 years to get going... But a gun FF who I still think can play on and get 1000 goals/break boomers record

 

[Quivorir]

Reckon he's one of the most underrated players in the comp. Doesn't get anywhere near the media carry on that he deserves.

 

[The 747]

Great player, will be HOF (not that that means much) and has been the key to our team for about a decade.

But not in the top rung of key forwards to have played this game.

 

[blinkd]

On par with the likes of J.Riewold and Kennedy.

Below the likes of Lloyd, Richo, Fev, Pav, and N.Riewoldt.

 

[RUNVS]

On par with the likes of J.Riewold and Kennedy.

Below the likes of Lloyd, Richo, Fev, Pav, and N.Riewoldt.

Not sure about Richardson as his goal accuracy hurt him, agree with the rest though.

 

[Mofra]

Probably needs to be judged on his assists & goals rather than just his goals. His consistency over a long time now is just outstanding

 

[Bald]

I used to think J Riewoldt was ahead but have changed my tune. He’s behind only Buddy for key forwards since his career started (not counting those that were finishing up at the earlier part of his career).

It’s probably:

Buddy
Hawkins
Riewoldt
Kennedy

 

[The 747]

Always remember that Dermott article way back around 2010 that explained in some detail why Tom Hawkins

26

Tom Hawkins

Age

35

Ht

197cm

Wt

105kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.2

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

5.5

5star

T

1.9

4star

G

2.1

5star

D

12.7

3star

K

8.6

3star

HB

4.1

3star

M

5.1

5star

T

2.1

3star

G

1.6

5star

D

7.8

2star

K

5.6

3star

HB

2.2

2star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.0

3star

G

2.2

5star

would not make it as an AFL player.

 

[PhatBoy]

Always remember that Dermott article way back around 2010 that explained in some detail why Tom Hawkins would not make it as an AFL player.

At the other end of the spectrum Dennis Pagan might have slightly overestimated him with the ‘young Tony Lockett’ comparison but considering it was based off his second game, it was a pretty fair effort

 

[HugeJohnson]

He's pretty good.

 

[STPer18]

Up to 786 goals now, will go past Riewoldt and Richo and potentially Quinlan to sit just outside the top 10 all-time goal kickers by year's end. Exploded in the 2011 GF and hasn't looked back since.

 

[Percel]

Never liked him, but has to be respected for his outstanding career.

Everytime everyone says he’s too old, too slow, he’d just keeps on keeping on, amazing.

Club legend

 

[Taper]

Could become the first key forward to play 400 games.
Fair effort when you remember how bad his back issues were a decade ago, not to mention key forward is arguably the hardest position on the ground to play.

 

[PhatBoy]

Could become the first key forward to play 400 games.
Fair effort when you remember how bad his back issues were a decade ago, not to mention key forward is arguably the hardest position on the ground to play.

Has to play every game this season, then go at least into 2026. I don’t think he can do it, much as I’d like him to.

He seems the type that if he had another good year this year - a 40-50 goal season, he’d probably just go around again which would take him up to 390, but to then go another season again is a huge ask.

 

[OnceWeWereKings]

Geelong legend, AFL Hall of Famer
Unbelievable career.
Has always played the game the way it should be played.
Rock solid character.
Big unit to get to 350 games plus.

 

[RUNVS]

Geelong legend, AFL Hall of Famer
Unbelievable career.
Has always played the game the way it should be played.
Rock solid character.
Big unit to get to 350 games plus.

at home or far away?

 

[Lunchtime]

I used to think J Riewoldt was ahead but have changed my tune. He’s behind only Buddy for key forwards since his career started (not counting those that were finishing up at the earlier part of his career).

It’s probably:

Buddy
Hawkins
Riewoldt
Kennedy

Attached are two screen shots of stats. First one is career stats for both Jack and Tom at the end of the 2023 season, when Jack retired, both were on 347 games each.

The second attachment is Tom's updated stats to reflect first two games so far this 2024 season.

In my opinion, neither is miles ahead of each other. Both wonderful players who have had great careers. I'm prepared to sit on the fence and say dead heat. Their stats are very very similar and it's like splitting hairs to say who is better.

 

[SSSSSS]

I like calling him Porkins on the account of his fat arse.

He's a pretty good footballer I guess.

 

[PerthBoy86]

The stats speak for themselves. In the top 10 key forwards of the 21st century. Has been very consistent and seems to have kept the level and arguably improved for awhile. Also the last of those great Geelong greats that won 4 premierships (and arguably could have won 5 or 6).

 

[PhatBoy]

The stats speak for themselves. In the top 10 key forwards of the 21st century. Has been very consistent and seems to have kept the level and arguably improved for awhile. Also the last of those great Geelong greats that won 4 premierships (and arguably could have won 5 or 6).

*3

He didn’t play in the 07 GF. He wasn’t even a regular in 09

 

[PerthBoy86]

*3

He didn’t play in the 07 GF. He wasn’t even a regular in 09

My bad, for some reason I remembered an 18 yo Hawkins playing in the 07 granny.

 

[ioppolo]

My bad, for some reason I remembered an 18 yo Hawkins playing in the 07 granny.

Nah, the great Nathan Ablett got his medal that day.