Finley’s favourite son laces up the boots after two decades

By Josh Huntly

Apr 17, 2025

Off the footy field, Tom Hawkins is chasing his passion as a livestock representative for Nutrien Ag, recently attending the Shepparton Saleyards for the Tuesday sales. Photo by Liam Nash

Geelong legend Tom Hawkins is set to don the Finley Football Club guernsey for the first time in two decades, rekindling his famous grassroots connection.

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Two decades, three AFL flags and 796 goals later, the 36-year-old will wear the hoops in the Murray Football League once again, this time under Good Friday night lights in a rivalry clash against Deniliquin at Finley Recreation Reserve.

The formidable ‘'Tomahawk’', fresh from his stellar AFL career, shared his mix of excitement and nervous anticipation for the upcoming clash.

“To be honest, I’m a touch nervous,” Hawkins said.

“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do while I was playing for Geelong.

“I don’t get up to Finley nearly as much as I’d like, but I’m still connected with a lot of people down there.

“Having gone through the junior program and seen the ebbs and flows of the Finley footy club and the importance of what footy and netball does for the community, it’s always been a goal to get back and play.

“The Finley v Deni game makes the most sense for me because I’m well-connected in Deni through my wife Emma and her parents.

“The rivalry pieces are in place and that will be play out as much as it wants to, but it’s also a bit of an opportunity to celebrate Finley and Deni.”

The wheels started turning almost a decade ago, when Hawkins and former Finley president Ash Haynes struck up a “contract”, a famous piece of paper which was drafted and redrafted as Hawkins’ career went through ebbs and flows of its own.

“I’ve always had, I suppose you can call it, a signed contract with Ash Haynes,” Hawkins said.

“He put it up on his pinboard when he was president of the footy club. We had to keep scrubbing it on and off and changing the year.

“Ash technically gave me my first job; I used to sell eggs in his butcher store. He’s always been a great friend.”

For Finley, the firepower provided by the 2020 Coleman medallist couldn’t have come at a better time.

The Cats could only muster eight goals in their two games to start the season, including just three in the grand final rematch against Congupna last week, which they lost by 170 points.

Irrespective of on-field woes, however, Hawkins’ return will be a welcome addition to what will already be a momentous Good Friday clash in front of a big crowd at Finley.

And as for the possibility of more MFL appearances from the big man?

Juggling roles with Geelong's corporate hospitality, Fox Footy, and pursuing his agricultural interests with Nutrien, Hawkins acknowledges that future appearances for the Cats may be rare, making this match even more special.

But he also didn’t rule it out completely.

While the headline act will undoubtedly be at Finley, which is the sole night game at 6pm, the MFL will be tossing up a blockbuster round of footy.

So far, Congupna has breezed by Rumbalara (149 points) and Finley (170) with ease, although The Road will be wary of Mulwala at Lonsdale Reserve, especially after a narrow loss to Cobram.

Nathalia is also a side looking to rebound and will take that opportunity with both hands against Tongala at home.

Locally, Rumbalara hosts Numurkah at Mercury Drive in the hope of notching its first win of the season, while the Three Jacks Cup clash between Echuca United and Moama will carry extra weight with the Eagles coming in boasting a 2-0 record.