‘I pinch myself’: Chris Scott reflects on Geelong forward Tom Hawkins’ record-breaking performance.
Geelong coach Chris Scott has pondered on the career of three-time premiership forward Tom Hawkins, who will become the Cats’ games record holder on Saturday when they play the Giants.
Hawkins reaches game 356, surpassing great friend and former teammate Joel Selwood, who set the previous record of 355 games at the end of his career in 2022. Scott has now opened out about his experience coaching one of the greatest Cats of all time.
But with the Cats on a three-game losing run and facing the Giants, who have the same record, Scott believes the focus is on putting their season back on track.
“We should avoid playing down a milestone, but we also don’t want to celebrate the game before the surpassing of the record,” Scott stated on Friday.
The Cats are third on the table with a 7-3 record, having lost to Melbourne, Port Adelaide, and the Suns in recent weeks, which has shaken their confidence, particularly in the midfield.
“If you had to prioritise, the most important thing defensively for us is how we go around the contest,” Scott stated.
“That includes not only stoppages, but also how we defend turnovers. “Primarily it’s more up the ground than it is D50 defence.”
Meanwhile, Scott paid tribute to Hawkins, a three-time premiership player, 2020 Coleman Medalist, five-time All Australian, 11-time Cats leading goalkicker, and Carji Greeves Medalist.
However, the 35-year-old vital forward has shied away from the spotlight of becoming the most capped Cat in the club’s 166-year history.
“I suspect (Hawkins) is a little bit happier being right next to Joel (and) he’d feel a little bit uncomfortable passing his great mate,” Scott stated.
“I’m sure he wouldn’t think of it that way, but it’s an important event in Geelong’s history. “I pinch myself that I’ve had the chance to be a part of that journey and all of our players think the same way.”
The Cats will be eager to celebrate Hawkins in front of their home crowd at GMHBA Stadium, but they must be careful of the Giants, who have defeated Geelong in the last three trips down the highway.