AFL star condemned over 'revolting' finals incident
Geelong will sweat on Tom Hawkins' availability ahead of next Friday's AFL preliminary final against Richmond, with the key forward set to come under scrutiny from the Match Review Officer.
In the third quarter of the Cats' semi-final win over West Coast, Hawkins was running alongside Will Schofield when he swung at the Eagles defender, catching him high. The hit saw Schofield hit the deck and spend several seconds prone on the ground before slowly getting to his feet.
Given the contact was high and off the ball, Hawkins is in danger of receiving a suspension for next week's blockbuster preliminary final against Richmond.
The incident left viewers fuming on social media, with AFL supporters demanding a ban for Hawkins.
Will Tom Hawkins face scrutiny from the MRO for this incident with Will Schofield? pic.twitter.com/mFcZHc5Uid
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) September 13, 2019
How dumb do you have to be Tom Hawkins? A Semi Final and your hitting blokes from behind. Are you seriously that stupid? #AFLFinals #aflCatsEagles
— Dion Alessi (@dionalessi) September 13, 2019
For me Hawkins’ hit on Schofield raises a question whether sanctions for that kind of snipe should carry a loading if the act is cowardly. That was revolting, Hawkins. #AFLCatsEagles
— Matt Webber (@MattWebberWrite) September 13, 2019
#AFLFinals Hawkins should get 2 weeks. He's lucky Schofield wasn't ko'd when he went head first into the turf.
— Mike Sourris (@mikesourris) September 13, 2019
Geelong can have fun trying to argue insufficient force when Schofield was clearly dazed... wasn’t having any of Hawkins apologies after the game... to quote the famous Lingy “That’s a dog act.”
— YNWA (@Jpana75) September 13, 2019
Hawkins must be suspended for Schofield punch 🥊
— David Roberts 🔴⚪️🔵 (@Robbo_999) September 13, 2019
HE SWUNG THE ARM! High. Off the ball. Shouldn’t be playing next week. Unlike the Greene incident where you could only assume what he did, the Hawkins footage is clear. Who cares that he got up, he swung at the head and Schofield could have delayed concussion. 🤦🏻♀️ #AFLCatsEagles
— Ooh Lah Lah (@oohlahlah09) September 13, 2019
A classification of intentional conduct, high contact and low impact would draw a one-match suspension.
Geelong coach Chris Scott said he hadn't looked at the incident.
"In part because I didn't want to talk about it tonight, I haven't looked at it," Scott told reporters post-match.
"So I've just got nothing to add unfortunately."
The incident overshadowed a match-winning performance from Hawkins, who booted four goals and took four contested marks in a dominant display.
Midfielder Patrick Dangerfield said he wasn't worried about Hawkins' potential availability.
"Wouldn't have thought so (that Hawkins is in trouble) given some of last week's rulings," Dangerfield told reporters post-match.
No players were suspended after the first week of finals, with Toby Greene and Nic Naitanui among those to receive fines rather than bans.
Scott also praised his team's resilience after falling behind in the third term. The Eagles fought back and led by seven points late in the third quarter, but the Cats kicked four unanswered final-term goals to secure a 20-point win.
"We were a fair way down (against Collingwood) in a low-scoring game and lost by 10 points," Scott said.
"Our players don't give up. If one wants to go back and look at the performance of our team, and it's been a different team over the years, I can't think of many occasions where you'd look at them and say they turned their toes up.
"It's a great quality to have in a group of players and it's not just the leaders that lead the way anymore.
"We've got younger players who haven't played much footy, much less finals, who were just outstanding tonight.
"I think that resilience that you speak of is a bit deeper than, 'they challenged us and we fought back.’”
With AAP
