Certified Legendary Thread Tom Hawkins - clearly not insignificant !

[Sttew]

Tom is about to sign a one year extension. He says he is still loving his football and still has something to offer. This is good great news, IMO. Tom should end up with 50 goals in 2023, continuing what is an unbelievable consistent run of form.

 

[Mr Meow]

Tom is about to sign a one year extension. He says he is still loving his football and still has something to offer. This is good great news, IMO. Tom should end up with 50 goals in 2023, continuing what is an unbelievable consistent run of form.

Delighted that he's made this decision.

His veteran AA years 2019-2022 he has averaged 3.45 combined goals/assists per game. This year that basically hasn't dropped at all: 3.42 per game. You'd have expected it to drop much more simply because the team hasn't been firing and the delivery not always the best.

Quite simply, if your goal/assist average in a season is above your career average, you don't hang the boots up. Given his career average is 3.09 a game, that very obviously isn't the case yet. Compare that to Riewoldt who has a 3.09 combined goal/assist average over his career, but has managed 1.85 this season. Franklin's 3.66 career average contrasts with his 2.08 per game 2023 average. They've been seeing a 40-45% reduction on their career output.

I get that Hawkins' mobility isn't what it was, but IMO this has been magnified when Rohan has been absent and since Cameron has had very obvious injury/form issues. When you have those two buzzing around Hawkins is still a dynamite weapon in his own right. Likewise when Stengle and Close are in sync to get the crumbs, which has been a bit of an inconsistent area this season.

There still are few better focal points in the AFL than Tomahawk.

 

[iameviljez]

Tom is about to sign a one year extension. He says he is still loving his football and still has something to offer. This is good great news, IMO. Tom should end up with 50 goals in 2023, continuing what is an unbelievable consistent run of form.

I'm a bit concerned about this. He hasn't had a great last ten weeks; I feel as though his tally this year has been pumped up by some big bags against crap teams.

Love the guy, but I hope it doesn't end like Buddy has this year.

 

[dazbroncos]

I'm a bit concerned about this. He hasn't had a great last ten weeks; I feel as though his tally this year has been pumped up by some big bags against crap teams.

Love the guy, but I hope it doesn't end like Buddy has this year.

It may happen sure...

But Buddy was missing 1/2 the season or so and being all knds of irrelevant last season, let alone this year

Tomma hasn't missed a game since like 2019 or something ( had 93 on the trot or something like it) so even in that stretch he's earned the next year - let alone the years before that.

And he's been durable and effective... Buddy really not either in the last 24 months.

GO Catters

 

[iameviljez]

Tomma hasn't missed a game since like 2019 or something ( had 93 on the trot or something like it) so even in that stretch he's earned the next year - let alone the years before that.

And he's been durable and effective... Buddy really not either in the last 24 months.

It's not about the injuries for mine so much as just the struggle to impose himself in the way he did last year. But that said, it's not like the supply is at the same standard either.

It's always hard to pick when a player is in decline vs just a loss of form.

 

[Sttew]

It may happen sure...

But Buddy was missing 1/2 the season or so and being all knds of irrelevant last season, let alone this year

Tomma hasn't missed a game since like 2019 or something ( had 93 on the trot or something like it) so even in that stretch he's earned the next year - let alone the years before that.

And he's been durable and effective... Buddy really not either in the last 24 months.

GO Catters

And unlike Buddy whose best games were in the first half of his career, Tom’s best is after 2012. He’s been like a bottle of quality red wine - he’s got better with age

 

[iameviljez]

Tom’s best is after 2012

2012 was still his best year I reckon... but the injuries he copped after that made him adapt in a way that has allowed him to thrive without his mobility.

If he hadn't been injured, IMO, he wouldn't have developed his ruck craft, and he wouldn't have had to become as smart as he has.

 

[Mr Meow]

I'm a bit concerned about this. He hasn't had a great last ten weeks; I feel as though his tally this year has been pumped up by some big bags against crap teams.

Love the guy, but I hope it doesn't end like Buddy has this year.

21 goals and 4 assists over 10 "not great" weeks (only one bag of 4 or more goals, so no "pumping up" in that period) is still Daniher, Allen, Miochek, Wright, Naughton etc level of output.

Then over his first 9 weeks that output was above Curnow and Walker's 2023 average.

Combine that with playing 20+ games (as long as he plays one more this year) every year since turning 30 and there just aren't the obvious indicators to decide to retire for a key forward.

 

[iameviljez]

21 goals and 4 assists over 10 "not great" weeks (only one bag of 4 or more goals, so no "pumping up" in that period) is still Daniher, Allen, Miochek, Wright, Naughton etc level of output.

Daniher plays a lot further up the field and has a lot more influence. Oscar Allen plays for what's basically a VFL side. Mihocek and Naughton have both had a pretty ordinary second half of the year.

I get your point, but 10-touches-2-goals isn't a great game and we've seen a lot of those.

 

[Mr Meow]

Daniher plays a lot further up the field and has a lot more influence. Oscar Allen plays for what's basically a VFL side. Mihocek and Naughton have both had a pretty ordinary second half of the year.

I get your point, but 10-touches-2-goals isn't a great game and we've seen a lot of those.

He's still only received coaches votes once more than Hawkins, having played 2 more games, so I'd say Hawkins extra 0.75 combined goal/assist a game this season is being recognised as roughly equal to Daniher's around the ground roaming. I know he's been in more AA sides in the main board thread than Daniher throughout the year, even though Joe is in his prime.

Curnow, Walker and Cameron are still the only key forwards averaging more goals/assists this season. All have filled their boots on a variety of opponents.

I get the whole "retire on top" mantra but there is also "great key forwards don't grow on trees" - if you remain one and you are motivated, you play.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Mods… why is a thread titled along the lines of significance on our board for one of our all time champion forwards?? It has a derogatory feel to it.

 

[Generalissimo]

I think the threat of Tom Hawkins

26

Tom Hawkins

Age

36

Ht

197cm

Wt

105kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.2

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

5.5

5star

T

1.9

4star

G

2.1

5star

D

12.7

3star

K

8.6

3star

HB

4.1

3star

M

5.1

5star

T

2.1

3star

G

1.6

5star

D

7.8

2star

K

5.6

3star

HB

2.2

2star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.0

3star

G

2.2

5star

is as important as the reality. He's always good for two or three goals, and a similar number of assists and forward line hitouts. But if you don't mind him very carefully he'll cut loose and kick two or three in a quarter and make you look a bit silly. Do you suppose if he'd been playing last week Collingwood would have had the insane spread from the contest that they did? No, because one of those spare midfielders would have had to drop back a bit to get into Hawkins's leading space. Shannon Neale doesn't command that sort of automatic respect yet.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Mods… why is a thread titled along the lines of significance on our board for one of our all time champion forwards?? It has a derogatory feel to it.

Because the thread originally started as one that was quite critical of Tom. Have a squiz at page 1. I think the thread was originally posted as 'Is Hawkins becoming insignificant?'

 

[iameviljez]

Mods… why is a thread titled along the lines of significance on our board for one of our all time champion forwards?? It has a derogatory feel to it.

It's a legendary thread going back to 2016, as the big Hawk was starting to emerge from his back-injury years. Let it go

 

[geelong_crazy26]

It's a legendary thread going back to 2016, as the big Hawk was starting to emerge from his back-injury years. Let it go

Generations to come will dig this thread up and ask their fathers “ why did some geelong fans think Tom Hawkins was insignificant as a player?” And it will be the first time my child probably gets grounded! Thanks to this thread.

 

[Willo_]

It's not about the injuries for mine so much as just the struggle to impose himself in the way he did last year. But that said, it's not like the supply is at the same standard either.

It's always hard to pick when a player is in decline vs just a loss of form.

I don't completely disagree, but also worth noting that he missed a chunk of pre season and probably came into this season the worst fitness wise he has for many a year. While he also would have plenty in the bank, we don't know how that has impacted his body, recovery, fatigue etc etc.... I think the key going on another year is how he is managed, get a good summer on for one last hurrah and not be afraid to rest and rotate him in his final year. He is still such a big presence and draws a top defender and can rip a lesser one to shreds

 

[Hinkley29]

It's not about the injuries for mine so much as just the struggle to impose himself in the way he did last year. But that said, it's not like the supply is at the same standard either.

It's always hard to pick when a player is in decline vs just a loss of form.

To have the season he has had coming off a non-existent preseason is actually pretty amazing. His form is unquestionably good enough to go around again.

He is old so he may slam into a brick wall at any time but that is not something that anyone can predict. If he is motivated to go around again he definitely should.

 

[cats_09]

Mods… why is a thread titled along the lines of significance on our board for one of our all time champion forwards?? It has a derogatory feel to it.

The original thread title back in 2016 was "Tom Hawkins - becoming insignificant !" and seemingly on the back of one quiet game

The thread title was subsequently updated to reflect Hawkins importance to the team & club, while still recognising what this thread started as

 

[geelong_crazy26]

To have the season he has had coming off a non-existent preseason is actually pretty amazing. His form is unquestionably good enough to go around again.

He is old so he may slam into a brick wall at any time but that is not something that anyone can predict. If he is motivated to go around again he definitely should.

Exactly…
To have zero pre season and kick 50 goals is an incredible achievement.

What I can see causing the biggest decline for Tom is an injury that really impacts his strength… like a shoulder injury or pectoral tear… something that really impacts his hulking bench press like strength.

His agility and speed are not assets of his game that he relies on for his performances, so a calf niggle or hammy won’t be a factor.

He plays off footy smarts, positioning, contested brute strength and great marking capabilities.

Which is why he has lasted so unusually long for a key forward of his caliber to that standard… all traits and qualities that don’t decline in your early 30’s like alot of the more explosive speed and power type players.

 

[CharacterFirst]

Generations to come will dig this thread up and ask their fathers “ why did some geelong fans think Tom Hawkins was insignificant as a player?”

And the correct answer will be: "There are plenty of trolls and morons on Bigfooty, son."

 

[Cataholic]

And the correct answer will be: "There are plenty of trolls and morons on Bigfooty, son."

That there are, but the ignore function is your friend.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Generations to come will dig this thread up and ask their fathers “ why did some geelong fans think Tom Hawkins was insignificant as a player?” And it will be the first time my child probably gets grounded! Thanks to this thread.

Generations to come won't gaf about bigfooty, geez.

 

[Mr Meow]

Generations to come won't gaf about bigfooty, geez.

How could you possibly know that?!

BigFooty is installed on my smart fridge, which will outlive my grandchildren.

 

[catempire]

Generations to come will dig this thread up and ask their fathers “ why did some geelong fans think Tom Hawkins was insignificant as a player?” And it will be the first time my child probably gets grounded! Thanks to this thread.

It will be the Stonehenge of BigFooty. Future generations will ask why? How? What does it mean? What was the point? Did some higher life form from the future travel back in time to post it?

Nay, it was a garden variety BigFooty nuffy.

 

[iameviljez]

It will be the Stonehenge of BigFooty. Future generations will ask why? How? What does it mean? What was the point? Did some higher life form from the future travel back in time to post it?

Nay, it was a garden variety BigFooty nuffy.

"why did they all worship tigerboyz_13?"