Our Tom marks game 350

By Rowan Frazer

Mar 27, 2024

Tom Hawkins celebrates a goal with teammate Oliver Dempsey in last week's round two clash against Adelaide. Photo by AAP Image/Matt Turner. Photo by AAP Image/Matt Turner

Finley’s own Tom Hawkins will cement himself among the upper echelon of players to have ever played AFL when he plays in his 350th AFL game this weekend.

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The former Finley Cat turned Geelong Cat will become the 24th player to ever reach the milestone.

The three-time AFL premiership player developed his skills as a junior at Finley, and often returns to the region with his family and farming connections.

Hawkins - the son of Jack Hawkins who also laced up for Geelong - made his debut in round two of 2007.

He had been pick 41 of the 2006 AFL draft, and the big Cat has proven his longevity and class.

Kicking 786 career goals so far across his 18-year career, Hawkins is third on Geelong’s all-time goalkicker’s list and second all-time to his great mate Joel Selwood on Geelong’s all-time AFL games played list.

Hawkins continues to impact at the AFL level, kicking four goals away against Adelaide on Friday night, turning the game’s momentum in the third quarter with two goals in quick succession.

It seems fated that Hawkins would be playing a milestone match against Hawthorn on Easter Monday, having played many memorable games against them.

This includes the 2012 round 19 game where Hawkins kicked six goals, including one after the siren.

By Rowan Frazer