Star Geelong veteran Tom Hawkins couldn’t be extra relaxed forward of his fourth AFL grand remaining.
The Cats will enter Saturday’s decider in opposition to Sydney on a 15-game profitable streak.
Regardless of the strain of being scorching favourites to win their fourth premiership since 2007, and tenth total, there are not any nerves from Hawkins.
“I am simply making an attempt to actually benefit from the second, you would possibly gauge that from the best way I am speaking and the best way I will be throughout the week,” the important thing ahead informed reporters at Geelong’s open coaching session on Monday.
“You do not get the chance in soccer to play in grand finals too typically, and to do it as a 34-year-old, I am practical (there will not be many extra alternatives), so I am simply going to actually benefit from the week.”
Geelong’s final premiership was when Hawkins lastly stamped himself as a premier AFL participant.
An inconsistent ahead throughout his first 5 seasons within the AFL, Hawkins got here of age with a three-goal, 19 possession efficiency within the 2011 grand remaining win in opposition to Collingwood.
Hawkins’ finest season previous to 2011 was a 34-goal haul in 2009, however he has been an unstoppable drive since his breakout efficiency with 5 All-Australians.
The 34-year-old has been a key a part of Geelong’s continued dominance as they’ve missed finals simply as soon as up to now 11 seasons, however the final success has eluded them.
Hawkins, captain Joel Selwood and Mitch Duncan are the one survivors from the 2011 flag.
“Placing your self on the market to compete yearly, you run the danger of disappointment and that is skilled sport,” Hawkins stated.
“I’ve reached the top with my soccer membership twice in my profession (2009 and 2011) and one at VFL degree and I am actually within the minority of people that have been ready to do this.
“I got here straight from faculty so I have never seen too many extra environments.
“It is all the time been the individuals who have come into the soccer membership and that is proper from the highest.
“We’re simply fortunate in that sense to get these individuals proper on the prime, they’re all very pushed.”
