When we are talking about the difference between being one of the best tall forwards of their generation, or one of the best players of their era, those really dominant, memorable performances matter.Hawkins' biggest haul is 7 goals. Riewoldt has only kicked more than that on 4 occasions. Kennedy has kicked more than that on 5 occasions.
You're suggesting that something that Kennedy and Riewoldt have done only a handful of times each anyway is what makes "the difference" between them and Hawk? Maybe if Riewoldt and Kennedy were booting 8+ goal bags once or twice a season on average I'd agree with you, but this is something they do once every three or four seasons.
Ablett Sr would not be seen the same way without those three 14-goal hauls.
I do think that the big Hawk is at least better than Riewoldt, but if he was to go down as “best of his era”, he probably needed a few really big bags.