Tom Hawkins: Geelong’s Big Hope
The leading goal kickers for Geelong in 2006 were Gary Ablett and Paul Chapman. Steve Johnson, Ottens and Mooney also contributed but the forward line was what held Geelong back. 2007 will see a big change, with Tom Hawkins joining the Cats.
Possible forward line for Geelong in 2007:
FF: Ottens, Hawkins, Stokes
HF: G Ablett, N Ablett, Chapman
The days of trading for Brett Spinks and Kent Kingsley, or persisting with Gardner and McCarthy for no reward should be over. Geelong should have its best forward setup since the original Ablett teamed with Brownless, Scott and Stoneham in the early 1990s.
Hawkins and Ottens should be able to work together, either with both starting in the goalsquare or with one playing further up field to exploit a mismatch. Ottens at 202cm, Hawkins at 197cm, what team will have two defenders to stop both of them. The rest of the forward line has the mobility to complement those two. Mathew Stokes has the pace and skills to get to the crumbs. Ablett and Chapman are Geelong’s best two players at the moment, they can start forward but also have regular runs through the midfield too. “Other” Ablett is just the icing on the cake. Nathan has the mobility to run up the ground and present a marking target on the wings, he can also play closer to goal and be a third tall option in the forward 50.
There are additional players that will contribute up forward too. Steve Johnson and Travis Varcoe will get time in the forward line when Ablett and Chapman are on the ball. Johnson is inconsistent but has great skills, while Varcoe is a high draft pick who came to the Cats with an injury but when recovered was a great player for their VFL team. With Hawkins and Ottens playing forward there may not be room for Mooney but that could help Geelong too. Mooney could play at centre halfback and also a bit in the ruck.
But it is Hawkins who will allow all these peripheral players to succeed. Nathan Ablett and Ottens will have the pressure taken off them, and will also not have to contend with the opposition’s best defender. Small forwards like Stokes will be waiting in front of the pack as Hawkins crashes into it, and if Hawkins doesn’t come down with the mark it could be an easy goal for a small Cat waiting for the crumb. They weren’t getting this physical play with Kingsley.
While not a big number to beat, Ablett kicked 35 goals in 2006, Hawkins should be the favourite to lead Geelong’s goalkicking next season. Thompson might have his coaching career saved by the addition of Hawkins too. If Thompson isn’t the answer for Geelong, and is replaced during the season or after it when his contract expires, then plenty of coaches will want to be in charge down there. A more offensive-minded coach might be best for Geelong, so maybe the Cats go back to Blight as he would be a perfect coach to get the best out of Geelong’s new forward line and to help Hawkins meet his potential as a star forward.
Possible forward line for Geelong in 2007:
FF: Ottens, Hawkins, Stokes
HF: G Ablett, N Ablett, Chapman
The days of trading for Brett Spinks and Kent Kingsley, or persisting with Gardner and McCarthy for no reward should be over. Geelong should have its best forward setup since the original Ablett teamed with Brownless, Scott and Stoneham in the early 1990s.
Hawkins and Ottens should be able to work together, either with both starting in the goalsquare or with one playing further up field to exploit a mismatch. Ottens at 202cm, Hawkins at 197cm, what team will have two defenders to stop both of them. The rest of the forward line has the mobility to complement those two. Mathew Stokes has the pace and skills to get to the crumbs. Ablett and Chapman are Geelong’s best two players at the moment, they can start forward but also have regular runs through the midfield too. “Other” Ablett is just the icing on the cake. Nathan has the mobility to run up the ground and present a marking target on the wings, he can also play closer to goal and be a third tall option in the forward 50.
There are additional players that will contribute up forward too. Steve Johnson and Travis Varcoe will get time in the forward line when Ablett and Chapman are on the ball. Johnson is inconsistent but has great skills, while Varcoe is a high draft pick who came to the Cats with an injury but when recovered was a great player for their VFL team. With Hawkins and Ottens playing forward there may not be room for Mooney but that could help Geelong too. Mooney could play at centre halfback and also a bit in the ruck.
But it is Hawkins who will allow all these peripheral players to succeed. Nathan Ablett and Ottens will have the pressure taken off them, and will also not have to contend with the opposition’s best defender. Small forwards like Stokes will be waiting in front of the pack as Hawkins crashes into it, and if Hawkins doesn’t come down with the mark it could be an easy goal for a small Cat waiting for the crumb. They weren’t getting this physical play with Kingsley.
While not a big number to beat, Ablett kicked 35 goals in 2006, Hawkins should be the favourite to lead Geelong’s goalkicking next season. Thompson might have his coaching career saved by the addition of Hawkins too. If Thompson isn’t the answer for Geelong, and is replaced during the season or after it when his contract expires, then plenty of coaches will want to be in charge down there. A more offensive-minded coach might be best for Geelong, so maybe the Cats go back to Blight as he would be a perfect coach to get the best out of Geelong’s new forward line and to help Hawkins meet his potential as a star forward.
