Geelong’s All Australian captain Tom Hawkins is likely to miss the start of the next AFL season after being sent for foot surgery.
Hawkins carried the injury through Geelong’s finals campaign, which culminated in an 81-point belting of Sydney in the grand final.
The Cats expect the 34-year-old, who has signed a one-year contract to extend his decorated career, to be available early next season.
“Our medical team and Tom have gone through an extensive process which has included consultation with specialists to determine the best approach and have come to the decision for Tom to undergo surgery this week,” Geelong’s football manager Simon Lloyd said in a statement on Wednesday.
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“Tom is incredibly meticulous in his training and preparation, and we know he’ll have the same application to his recovery.
“We will take the time and diligence required to have him return to playing in early 2023.”
Hawkins’ pre-season training timeline would be confirmed after the initial stages of his recovery from surgery, Lloyd said
Luke
Guest
I looked it up and they got picks 12 and 16, but both those players didnt make it. Eeek
Boo
Guest
Thanks your right .
Cricket fan in SG
Guest
Actually, Matt Spangher at Hawthorn beat Caddy to that trivia stat.
Cat
Roar Guru
Keep wishing. Keep writing us off. Keep being jealous.
Knackaz
Roar Rookie
Injuries to older players has finally started to catch up with Geelong with Hawkins, with plenty more post 30+ year old Cats players soon to follow. A foot injury at his size and age is bad. It’s an injury that can’t be carried and is slow to heal. Very few AFL players perform at the required level post 30, and the end can come quickly. Ryan O’Keefe was a classic example. Norm Smith medallist in Sydney’s 2012 premiership side, he ended up playing most of 2014 in the seconds at 33 before retiring at the end of the season. I was very surprised with his sudden fall from grace at the time, but Horse Longmire is a hard taskmaster, and Father Time catches up with everyone …
Cat
Roar Guru
Gives big Sav and Henry a chance to prove themselves.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
It's definitely not a disaster. On the positive side, the season will be a bit shorter for him. At his age, that's not the worst thing in the world. The Cats have a strong forward line, they will be able to hold the fort.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Hopefully only delayed Cat but the reports often fudge over the facts A common complaint is also Plantar Fasciitis which is equally bad We will shall see
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
But Carlton players are just that little bit softer than the Cats.
Cat
Roar Guru
Cats will no doubt display their usual ‘overabundance of caution’ as they did with Dangerfield last season
Macca
Roar Rookie
Who knows - Carlton have had plenty of players who "may be delayed" who weren't seen for the season and others who turned up early in pre-season but foot injuries can be tricky and hard to do any training with.
Cat
Roar Guru
Considering reports are ‘he may be delayed’ rather than ‘ is out for first 1/4 of the season’ I’d guess its not that severe.
Ace
Roar Rookie
If its bone and needs pins or plates then speaking from experience you would need , after the surgery, a good three months rehab for everything to knit well before putting any pressure on the foot. As I said ..if it's bone
Cat
Roar Guru
Less than ideal is life.
Cat
Roar Guru
I reckon losing Stewiebfor finals a couple years ago cost us a red hot chance. Selwood sydemosis injury cost us one year as well. That’s just two off the top of my head.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Bit of a difference between playing with an injury (probably being dosed up with pain killers) after building a good fitness base and playing after missing pre-season with surgery. It also isn't about being quick, it is about being able to cover the ground to shift the defenders. You are right that he is more of the push and shove forward but that still requires the ability to hit the gym and do squats etc that I dare say will be off limits with a foot injury and his size might slow his ability to get the miles in his legs. Time will tell and you would be mad to write him off but it is less than ideal.
Boo
Guest
Egan and Holmes missed flags due. to injury always had our top six in the GF .
Cat
Roar Guru
Terribly misleading headline. Cats have not announced who will captain the side next year. Headline refers to AA captaincy.
Cat
Roar Guru
One season of good luck? Holmes might disagree though.
Cat
Roar Guru
He’ll be fine. Didn’t slow him down in finals this year (may explain his late season wayward kicking though). Last year at 33 may well have been the best he’s played in his stellar career. Yes I know the end can come quick but Hawkins has never been blessed with speed and has never relied on being quick. He isn’t any smaller and unless defenders can knock him off his feet he’ll play until he doesn’t want to I suspect.