Certified Legendary Thread Tom Hawkins - clearly not insignificant !

[FredLeDeux]

Johnson is a far better ‘player who was a forward’ in my eyes but that was because he was essentially a midfielder who happened to spend a lot of time forward and his effectiveness was in being able to be so creative further up the field. If he was based forward permanently I don’t think he’d have been as successful over all.

Certainly worthy of consideration though

From 2013-15 with Geelong he played as an on-baller who still spent some time forward.

From 2002-2012 with Geelong and 2016-178 with GWS he was based forward permanently, with an occasional run on the ball.

Part of his strength in this role was that his aerobic ability allowed him to keep moving all day and range widely back and forward across the forward half and further up the ground. Very few of the defenders who played on him could match him in this respect.

For a considerable part of his career with Geelong he was widely described and regarded as the best medium forward in the game (only challenged in that respect for a fairly short period by Didak).

In the 50-60 odd years that I can remember watching, the only player I can think of who was better at this role for an extended period was Daicos (I may have forgotten someone, but certainly not at Geelong).

 

[PhatBoy]

From 2013-15 with Geelong he played as an on-baller who still spent some time forward.

From 2002-2012 with Geelong and 2016-178 with GWS he was based forward permanently, with an occasional run on the ball.

Part of his strength in this role was that his aerobic ability allowed him to keep moving all day and range widely back and forward across the forward half and further up the ground. Very few of the defenders who played on him could match him in this respect.

For a considerable part of his career with Geelong he was widely described and regarded as the best medium forward in the game (only challenged in that respect for a fairly short period by Didak).

In the 50-60 odd years that I can remember watching, the only player I can think of who was better at this role for an extended period was Daicos (I may have forgotten someone, but certainly not at Geelong).

Yeah all fair comments, I guess just because he got so much of the ball I tend to think of him as a hybrid player rather than an inside 50-based player but in hindsight he was frequently our prime target depending on how Mooney or Kingsley were playing at a given time.

 

[SJ]

Interesting re-read the early pages.
Blighty what a gift



Funny how this has scarcely changed two years on yet he’s found a way to have a season where he’s in AA contention.

Starting to think he’s somewhat maligned as a footballer in some circles.

He's back jumping again in contests other than one-on-ones, and running at the football rather than trying to push off the back of his opponent. Makes a world of a difference. Means he is getting a few frees too.

 

[FredLeDeux]

He's back jumping again in contests other than one-on-ones, and running at the football rather than trying to push off the back of his opponent. Makes a world of a difference. Means he is getting a few frees too.

Probably even more importantly, he's not giving away as many momentum-killing frees.

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

They key for him has always been movement.

Unless it's been through injury or by design from the coaching staff, it's almost unfathomable to me why he has spent so much time over the last number of years, operating out of the goal square wrestling.

Tom has frequently shown glimpses of what he is doing now but this is the most sustained period of this sort of form that I can remember in his career.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

He's back jumping again in contests other than one-on-ones, and running at the football rather than trying to push off the back of his opponent. Makes a world of a difference. Means he is getting a few frees too.

My theory on that has always been our ball movement. He can’t run and jump at the footy with a spare man standing in front of him. Last couple of weeks we’ve got it in quicker.

 

[Turbocat]

My theory on that has always been our ball movement. He can’t run and jump at the footy with a spare man standing in front of him. Last couple of weeks we’ve got it in quicker.

I hope you are right and we can keep it quick

To me his form took a upward spike when he was able to get on his bike.. he was playing a CHF role getting to the wing occasionally and looking happy doing it. His kicking to other players can be as good as anyone... and once he has been as agile and moving comfortably ..he was able to beat most opponents he was put against.Now once Tom is playing at this level..its obvious he is being treated to better service.. too often in the past he has been trying to cope with a poor inbound ball..no he is moving players like Duncan and Kelly are looking to put it into space for him

Do opponents continue to play their second KPD or do they put their #1 on him. I don't quite trust that it will keep going ..but its been a real awakening to how much more in enjoy the game when you have a target like him that is at the end of a chain. Menzel should be ready to reap the bounty of less focus.. it would really be so good if we had Sav out there to draw someone..

and as you say if we can keep it quick.. because as I feel they will soon be trying to double team him , and have someone just in front of him to cut of the lead and space.

 

[Son_Of_God29]

Tom Hawkins - Countdown to 500 Goals

7 again on the weekend moves Tom to 486 Career Goals - 14 Short of 500

Passed the following players on the all-time goal kicking list

483 Jeff Farmer

Next on the List

496 - Bill Hutchison


Can Hawk pass 500 before the end of the home and away season?

 

[catempire]

He's back jumping again in contests other than one-on-ones, and running at the football rather than trying to push off the back of his opponent. Makes a world of a difference. Means he is getting a few frees too.

Amazing what you can do in a bit of space.

 

[Stan The Caddy]

My theory on that has always been our ball movement. He can’t run and jump at the footy with a spare man standing in front of him. Last couple of weeks we’ve got it in quicker.

I don't disagree but he's moving alot better this season compared to previous years and I think that is why his form this year has been so good.

 

[Landgraft]

Not true. Probably looking as fit as he ever has been

here we go. This will be your most cited quote all season now.

Slam pick new avatar

 

[thegerman]

I don't disagree but he's moving alot better this season compared to previous years and I think that is why his form this year has been so good.

There was one marking contest where he fell heavily and grabbed his back, but got up and kept on going.

A lot has been said about his form, mainly the quickness that we are moving the ball forward and his ability to move toward the ball on a lead, or be in
one on ones where he is jumping at the ball.

Earlier in the year and in games we've lost, you'll find Tom wrestling with his opponent when another jumps over to help out.

I hope this form keeps up. I love seeing Tom on the lead or floating across the pack. He's got a great leap and has a good turn of speed when leading.

 

[PhatBoy]

Under appreciated aspects of his play:

For a guy his size he takes a LOT of diving chestmarks a foot off the ground

 

[fpm84]

Under appreciated aspects of his play:

For a guy his size he takes a LOT of diving chestmarks a foot off the ground

How was the bullet pass from Narkle on Saturday?!?

 

[Pack Specialist]

I am quite sure that another player will be chosen very shortly.
We have had many in the past.

We've always got Zuthrie!

 

[Pack Specialist]

Has anyone got the article from the Australian?

 

[4quarter_cat]

Has anyone got the article from the Australian?

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...l/news-story/6cec0d0c161d6252d02515545d51a053

 

[Art Vandelay_]

A bag of 6 this Saturday will see Tommy reach 500 careers goals

 

[OzeSparky]

What was the big fella in court today for?

 

[dazbroncos]

What was the big fella in court today for?

Had to give evidence in a mugging case. AFL UMPS charged with being a witness to the crime over the last 4 years and doing SFA about it.

GO Catters

 

[cats_09]

What was the big fella in court today for?

Fighting to keep his licence - he has 12 demerit points recording against his name but his argument is that his sister was at the wheel for the last couple of infringements, so he went to court for an extension of time so he could nominate his sister as the driver.

According to the article its a pretty standard request & it was granted.

 

[Max Milburn]

Fighting to keep his licence - he has 12 demerit points recording against his name but his argument is that his sister was at the wheel for the last couple of infringements, so he went to court for an extension of time so he could nominate his sister as the driver.

According to the article its a pretty standard request & it was granted.

Maybe it was his sister who jumper-punched Phil Davis last year?

 

[MacStradbroke]

Slam pick new avatar

Surely he was paid for that photo.

 

[Biggy_Boy]

he has 12 demerit points recording against his name

That's pretty poor.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Fighting to keep his licence - he has 12 demerit points recording against his name but his argument is that his sister was at the wheel for the last couple of infringements, so he went to court for an extension of time so he could nominate his sister as the driver.

According to the article its a pretty standard request & it was granted.

Nice of his sister to take the rap for him, let's be honest it was probably Tom behind the wheel.