Geelong champion Tom Hawkins has made the sad admission that he is no guarantee to make it back for the Cats’ looming finals campaign.
Although he has already announced his retirement, there was an outside chance the veteran forward could make an appearance in the finals and, with a bit of luck, help power his mighty club to another grand final.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: AFL great Tom Hawkins admits he may not play finals.
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Now, the 36-year old has given the the strongest indication yet that he may not play at AFL level again.
Hawkins is making progress in his recovery but the left the foot that’s been the stabiliser for so many of his 794 goals now threatens to end his glittering career.
“I’d love to have a bit more confidence or say with authority when the return date is but I just unfortunately don’t know,” Hawkins told 7NEWS.
“I’m excited by the idea and the prospect (of playing in the finals) but there’s still a little bit of work to do.”
Hawkins has managed just 12 games this year and was not at his damaging best when he suffered a Lisfranc injury in Round 15 against Carlton.
He has previously said the injury had been tracking well but admitted it was “slow and steady”.
Early in August Hawkins announced his retirement, but said he was hoping he could come back and “have an impact” for finals.
He has won premierships with Geelong in 2009, 2011 and 2022 and has kicked 796 goals, the 13th most in VFL/AFL history.
The power forward won Geelong’s goal-kicking 11 times, and also claimed the Coleman Medal in 2020 when the Cats lost the grand final against Richmond.
Hawkins was drafted as a father-son selection in 2006, with his dad Jack playing 182 games for the Cats between 1973 and 1981.
He said “father time catches up with everyone” but admitted he was comfortable with his decision and described a sense of relief about making it.
Hawkins didn’t rule out continuing to be involved in football post-retirement, but was looking forward to watching the Cats with wife Emma, and children Arabella, Primrose and Henry in the new stand at GMHBA Stadium named after Selwood.
Hawkins’ premiership teammate Zach Tuohy has also announced he will retire at the end of the season.
Tuohy, 34, will hang up the boots as the competition’s Irish games record holder.
He has played more than 280 games with the Cats and Carlton.
Tuohy told his teammates of his decision on Tuesday and announced it in a video statement to Geelong members on Wednesday (today).
– With AAP