Tom Hawkins of Geelong (left) and Joel Selwood of Geelong lift the premiership cup while exiting the field after defeating the Swans. Photo by AAP Image/James Ross.
Tom Hawkins cemented his status as a Finley hometown hero on Saturday, leading from the front in the AFL grand final.
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Hawkins had family and friends at the MCG on Saturday to witness his third premiership medal winning effort, something that heightened his reaction to the day.
In the final quarter, Hawkins was visibly emotional.
A number of tears escaped while he took in the inevitability of his team taking home the prestigious cup.
This was something many professional commentators speculated meant Hawkins was about to hang up the boots, alongside captain Joel Selwood, fellow veteran Isaac Smith and a number of other senior players.
Speaking to the Southern Riverina News on Monday, Hawkins denied that was the reason.
He said the outpouring of emotion was due to “a variety of things”.
“The hard work you put in all year, the sacrifices you make as an individual player and a family, how happy my family and friends would be with the way the game went, losing my mum - even though it’s been seven years now - and knowing I wouldn’t be able to share this with her, it all added up,” he said.
“I don’t regret it; the emotion.”
Not everyone in Hawkins’ family was confident of a Geelong win on Saturday, with his daughter Primrose featuring in a viral Instagram video stating she thought the Swans were going to take the cup back to Sydney.
Hawkins responded by telling his three-year-old: “Alright mate, this is where we part ways, see you at home,” at which point, she got a confused look on her face.
“They don’t know a lot about football,” Hawkins said of he and wife Emma’s daughters Arabella (5), Primrose, and 10 week-old son Henry.
“They remember Buddy from the game we played against Sydney where he kicked his 1000th goal, and she chose the Swans because of that.
“Honestly, we don’t care who they barrack for.
“We just want to enjoy the people they are.”
With the recent birth of his first son, a demanding football career, a farm to look after and other commitments, Hawkins said it had been quite a busy time lately.
All of the other factors helped in keeping the nerves down to a manageable level for Hawkins, with only a few occasions leading into the big event where he felt them stir.
“The nerves weren’t too bad on the day, but I was nervous early on in the week and on the way to the game,” he said.
“I was quite relaxed once I got to the MCG and enjoyed the experience.
“There was a lot happening, with Robbie Williams performing and the parade of champions.
“The logistics of the program changed a bit, and we had to wait a bit longer to get out on the ground.
“I would've been worried if I wasn’t nervous.”
Hawkins was not alone in celebrating the victory, after securing 14 grand final tickets for family and friends to attend the decider.
“I divvied them up among family and friends, and some were able to get tickets through the ballot, so it was great to have them there,” he said.
“Some of them were fortunate enough to make it down into the rooms after the game - that was great.”
Hawkins said being an AFL footballer was very challenging for partners, and he thanked his wife for the support she provides.
“We make some selfish decisions to be able to play on the weekends,” he said.
“My wife is wonderful; supporting me in what I choose to do.”
Hawkins is looking forward to the ongoing celebrations associated with his latest premiership win.
He is also planning a trip back ‘home’ to Finley before starting his next preseason with the Cats, confirming he plans to play on in 2023.
Tom Hawkins beside the Finley sign that bares his name.
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