The 359-game veteran had surgery on his left foot at the end of 2022, but according to coach Chris Scott, his latest injury affects a different part of the foot.
Hawkins, who will turn 36 in July, is anxiously awaiting the results to determine the severity of this new setback.
“It’s a bit disappointing, but I’m still pretty optimistic,” Hawkins said on Monday. “I tend to be optimistic about life in general. Once I get the information, I’ll come up with a plan. I understand there’s curiosity about my age and form, but the thought of this being the end of my season or career isn’t on my mind right now.”
Teammate Patrick Dangerfield also refrained from speculating about the injury’s seriousness. “We got scans over the weekend, but there’s some complexity,” Dangerfield noted. “It’s a question for our medical team, and we haven’t got those expert opinions yet. There’s a lot to consider.”
“Tom has a history with that foot, which complicates the situation,” he added. “We’ll know more today, tomorrow, or later in the week.”
Geelong’s season is faltering, with six losses from their past seven games dropping them to seventh place with an 8-6 record. The upcoming match against Essendon is crucial for the Cats.
Dangerfield became a bit irritated when asked if the Cats are still competing for the flag or focusing on development. “I think it’s time to quit. There are only nine games left, so there’s no point,” he said sarcastically. He then provided a deeper analysis, saying, “The list is always in transition, no matter your position. We’ll always pick the best team, but it does allow for blooding younger players. We believe we’re still in the hunt this season. We need to make a few tweaks to improve, but it’s not insurmountable.”
Dangerfield will miss the match against Essendon unless he successfully overturns his one-match ban for a dangerous tackle at the AFL Tribunal.
