Geelong veteran Tom Hawkins has delivered a stark warning to AFL defenders, declaring the most effective is but to return from his formidable attacking partnership with Jeremy Cameron.
The pair have triggered rival backmen all types of grief since Cameron’s high-profile change from GWS on the finish of 2020, and spearheaded the Cats to final 12 months’s premiership.
They will line up alongside one another within the hoops for the forty sixth time when Geelong tackle Essendon on the MCG on Sunday.
“The more time you can spend together the more you’ll work out those little intricacies of the way they play and certain positions on the ground that they do what they do,” Hawkins stated.
“What makes (Cameron) so unique is he sees the game so differently. He’s almost a step or two ahead.
“His imaginative and prescient across the floor after which inside forward-50 is one thing that I have never actually performed with, notably in a giant man.
“We’re always building chemistry with players and I’m just really enjoying playing with him.”
Cameron has been the Cats’ most constant performer this season, kicking 27 objectives from six video games to place himself in Brownlow Medal competition.
The 30-year-old’s scorching begin has sparked hopes he might turn into the primary participant since Lance Franklin in 2008 to kick 100-plus objectives in a season.
“He’s always been a wonderful player but what he’s been able to produce has really carried us along the way for the most part of season 2023,” Hawkins stated.
Hawkins entered the season beneath a health cloud after foot surgical procedure in October and has regularly constructed his type.
The 34-year-old kicked two, 4 and 5 objectives within the thumpings of Hawthorn, West Coast and Sydney that squared the Cats’ season ledger after a horror begin to their premiership defence.
“I’ll maintain I’ve been 100 per cent for the first six rounds of the year and, like I do every year, continue to try to build and have continuity in what I’m trying to put out there each week,” Hawkins stated.
“I’ll keep looking to improve, just like the team.”
Essendon have misplaced defender Jayden Laverde (shoulder) as Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Jordan Ridley and swingman Kyle Landford line as much as tackle Hawkins and Cameron.
Dyson Heppell has been rested however captain Zach Merrett is again from suspension to bolster the Bombers’ midfield after lacking his facet’s Anzac Day close to miss towards Collingwood.
Massimo D’Ambrosio and fan-favourite Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti have additionally been recalled.
Sunday’s fixture looms as a harder problem than the Cats have confronted in current weeks.
“By no means do we sit and rest on our laurels,” Hawkins stated.
“From here, there’s plenty of hard work still to be done and the competition is as even as it ever has been.
“(We) sit up for the problem on the weekend taking part in a facet that was terrific (on Anzac Day).”
Geelong have recalled Jed Bews instead of injured midfielder Cam Guthrie (toe).
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
