AAP
Geelong’s games-record holder Tom Hawkins will retire at season’s end, ending a “generational” AFL career.
On the same day Richmond superstar Dustin Martin called it quits, the triple premiership player on Tuesday told his Cats teammates he would be bowing out.
The 36-year-old, who has been sidelined with a foot injury since round 15, is still hoping to return and play a role in Geelong’s premiership push.
Hawkins has played 359 games for the Cats, breaking great mate Joel Selwood’s games record in Geelong’s round-11 game against GWS in May.
“Tom has been an incredible presence both on and off the field at Geelong for the past 18 years, with his ability to play consistently at an elite level, along with humility and care for his teammates, trademarks of his career,” Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie said.
“He is a generational player who will rightly be celebrated for his achievements on field, as well as the role he has played shaping our club into what it is today.
“We thank Tom, his wife Emma, and their children Arabella, Primrose and Henry for all they’ve given our club.”
Hawkins won premierships with Geelong in 2009, 2011 and 2022 and has kicked 796 goals, the 13th most in VFL/AFL history.
