When Geelong snapped it’s 44-year premiership drought in 2007, Tom Hawkins was a nine-game father/son key forward.
In 2009, 2011 and 2022, he was on the MCG in the hoops.
Now, for the first time since he was seven years old, the Cats games record holder is watching his club in grand final week as a fan.
And he could not be having more fun.
“I’m absolutely embracing it,” he told K rock’s Tom, Lingy and Loggy.
“I’ve gone full nuffy Cats mode. It never felt like a long week when I was a player, but I’m worried I may have gone too soon, I’m tiring.
“I think I’ll perk back up on Friday when it’s on the doorstep.
“I’m removing myself from it to an extent, but I’ll try and head down on Friday and have a look at training at the G. That will get me going.”
The former spearhead, who suited up in 359 games for 796 goals says he’s just sitting back and enjoying the week.
“I’m proud of the whole club,” he said
“When you’re out of it, you can reflect, and there are heaps of guys I can talk about who will play, and some who won’t.
“I’ll be at the club’s grand final breakfast in town that morning then head up to the ground. I have some Fox Footy commitments, and then I’ll make my way into the game.
“I’ll be in the cheersquad at the bounce with Moons (Cameron Mooney) and Chappy (Paul Chapman) doing some hype stuff. I’m really taking the nuffy thing seriously.”
Now, he has a major choice to make.
“I might head in and get my double…maybe triple XL jumper and decide who’s number to put on it,” he said.
“There’s a lot of number five’s (Jeremy Cameron) out there so I might go my great mate Shannon Neale (33) and wear it on Saturday.”
