Trim Hawkins to make impact
February 09, 2008 TOM Hawkins has a confession: In times of stress, he turned to burgers and fries. As he tackled VCE and his first season at Geelong last year, Hawkins too often found comfort in the local McDonald's restaurant.
"I was studying a bit and treating myself at Maccas," Hawkins said.
When he wasn't being lured to the golden arches, Hawkins was loading up in the dining room of his well-meaning host family.
"They gave us everything we wanted," he said.
He played at 105kg last season and despite moments of brilliance, he struggled to keep up.
"Last year, I'd make one or two leads and be buggered," Hawkins said.
But a week away from his first NAB Cup hitout of this season, Geelong fans will be delighted to know he has lost his puppy fat.
As teammate and mentor Cameron Mooney said this week:
"He looks like a real footballer at the moment. He's training the house down."
Hawkins, 19, has shed 4kg and weighs in at 101kg. Junk food and over-loaded plates at home are in the past.
"I'm just watching what I eat. Not eating as much food," Hawkins said.
"This year, I'm living with (teammate) Simon Hogan. Not too much cooking gets done between us and it's smaller meals now."
Hawkins has taken on extra cross-training sessions, raised the intensity on the rowing machine and grinder and taken up walking.
There is none of the arm-pumping power-walking, but Hawkins slips the earphones in and hits the beach or streets.
"If I eat too much or the wrong stuff, I tend to go for a walk," he said.
"Losing the first couple of kilos was easy, but it's kind of hard now trying to lose that extra kilo."
The hype surrounding Hawkins is enormous. Although adamant he doesn't take note of outside influences, being dubbed "Tomahawk" has taken a bit of getting used to.
"I don't mind it, but I'm not a real big fan of it," Hawkins said.
"I get a bit of heat from my mates about it. It's not too bad."
With Nathan Ablett retired and a spot in the forward line there for the taking, the buzz about the "Tomahawk" will only grow.
The bookies have Hawkins favourite to win the Rising Star award in his second season.
After nine games last year, he appears a walk-up start to become a regular senior player.
Mooney, who has worked closely with the forward prospect over summer, can see Hawkins stepping straight into Ablett's role.
"At the moment, yes, we need him . . . we'll give him every opportunity to play there," Mooney said.
"He doesn't have to do too much. Just has to be out there and give a bit of help to the other guys. The rest of us will look after him."
Geelong captain Tom Harley said Hawkins had been a "standout performer" during pre-season.
"Physically, he looks amazing," Harley said.
"Without saying too much about him, he's going to have more of a presence than he did last year, for sure."
Hawkins said he felt considerably fitter after a full pre-season.
"This year I'll be able to make a few more leads and not be as tired . . . be able to run out a game a bit better as they say," he said.
As shocked as he was by Ablett's decision, Hawkins was backing himself to push for a spot anyway.
"I thought he (Ablett) had really started to enjoy his footy. He looked as though he was having fun," he said.
"It's sad to see someone go like that. He's a great fella, Nath.
"It has opened the door a bit more for me. It does probably make it a bit easier . . . (but) whether Nathan was here or not, I'd still be trying to get in.
"I'd like to play at centre half-forward or full-forward."
Hawkins kicked four goals in a half in his second game against Melbourne in Round 3 last year. It came after three goals on debut.
He won a Rising Star nomination and was installed as favourite for the award.
Almost a year on, Hawkins looks back on it as an overwhelming time.
"It was a big week really. A big couple of weeks," Hawkins said.
The week after the explosive performance against the Demons, Hawkins put in a fizzer.
"The next (round) we played Hawthorn and I got four touches and was shocking. Then you're low for the next week," Hawkins said.
"It was a big thrill, the first two games, but another thing I am trying to work on this year is consistency."