Sign erected for AFL superstar

By Bryanna Rossow

Jul 12, 2022

One of Finley's favourite sons, and gun Geelong Football Club player Tom Hawkins with the new sign erected in his honour at the entrance to Finley. Photo: Edward Haynes.

Finley Football Netball Club were lucky enough to receive a visit from AFL superstar and Geelong Football Club player Tom Hawkins last week.

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Hawkins took the time out from his home visit to spend some time at his old stomping grounds and have a run around with the current juniors of the club.

During his visit to the club he presented Finley FNC’s Kitten Academy and Net Set Go players their certificates and joined in with the thirds and fourths training sessions.

Finley FNC president Ashley Haynes said the visit from Hawkins was invaluable for the club and community.

“It was fantastic that Tom gave his time to visit the club and spend time with the juniors,” Mr Haynes said.

“He is still very much in his prime, so for the boys and girls to see him with them running around at training and then on the TV two nights later kicking the winning goal for Geelong, it’s pretty special.

“You want to get as many kids participating in sport as possible, so when something like this does come together, money can’t buy what it does for the community.”

The Finley community surprised the AFL superstar by erecting a sign in his honour, which Mr Haynes said Hawkins was very chuffed about.

The sign joins former AFL legend Shane Crawford’s sign, which was erected after the Hawthorn champion won the 1999 Brownlow Medal.

By Bryanna Rossow

Cadet Journalist