Geelong Cats’ star forward, Tom Hawkins, suffered a significant setback during Friday night’s clash against the Carlton Blues at the MCG. The triple premiership player injured his foot after an awkward landing, forcing him to leave the game in visible distress. This incident has raised concerns among fans and analysts about his availability for the rest of the season.
Before this latest injury, Hawkins had been managing a persistent toe issue. The exact nature and severity of the current injury remain unclear as Hawkins awaits further medical evaluation. Geelong coach Chris Scott provided a cautious update, stating, “I’m not saying the news is good news, but I’m not saying the news is bad either. He had to come off with a foot issue – it’s mid-foot – he has had an issue with his toe but it is a fair way away from that.”
Despite the uncertainty, Coach Scott was quick to dismiss speculation that Hawkins’ season might be over, emphasizing, “They are not saying (that it might be season over) and I certainly don’t want to say anything that alleviates the concern because we are concerned, but I don’t want to jump to conclusions either.”
The Geelong Cats, who began the season with an impressive seven-game winning streak, have now recorded their sixth loss following the defeat against Carlton. This string of losses puts their top-eight position at risk, with Brisbane and Port Adelaide closely trailing them on the ladder. Currently in sixth place, Geelong could potentially fall to ninth by Round 15 if their form does not improve.
The next challenge for the Cats will be their match against the Essendon Bombers on June 29, a crucial game that could determine their standing in the league and influence their playoff prospects. As the team prepares for this important fixture, all eyes will be on Hawkins’ recovery and the impact his absence might have on their performance.