If there is one player who has been in the thick of the Cats and Hawks’ rivalry it’s Geelong’s Tom Hawkins.

No one can forget Round 19, 2012, when Hawkins had the world on his shoulders as he lined up for goal after the siren to give the Cats another win over the Hawks.  

Over Hawkins’ career he has played Hawthorn 10 times and only twice has he walked off with a loss, including his third AFL game in 2007 and last year’s Preliminary Final.

“It’s a great rivalry… and I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a few games now and I really look forward to the challenge of playing against the Hawks (this Monday),” Hawkins told SEN Radio.  

“So far this year they’ve been very impressive - so we’ve got a work cut out but we’ve got a huge amount of respect on how they play their footy.

There will be no surprises for Geelong on Monday.

As Hawkins says, the Cats are well aware of the intensity that comes with playing against the Hawks at the MCG.

“It doesn’t matter where you are on the ladder or what sort of side you have out on the park or how you’re travelling, they always seem to be pretty fierce, great contests and they’re really close games of footy – so we know what to expect come Monday,” Hawkins said.  

Despite the hype of Monday’s rivalry battle, Hawkins says he won't be changing his pre-game routine. Instead, he’s concentrating on keeping a relaxed and clear mind-set.

“I’d love to say I do, but to be honest I’m a very simple footballer with a very simple mind (he laughed), and if I think too much about a game of footy I’ll get over excited and too nervous and I won’t be able to perform. So like any game that I’ve played in I’ve learnt that I’ve got to take the same process into every game,” Hawkins explained.

As the Cats kick off with another impressive season, Hawkins explains what is that Geelong does in order to create and maintain success throughout the club.

According to Hawkins, it stems from the Cats recruiting staff as they only choose good characters you have the ability to pass on the club’s winning legacy.

“We draft our players down at the football club not only on their ability on how they play football – we try and draft good people to the Geelong Footy Club because I think if you don’t do your research into players and you get someone who might be a bit of a larrikin and carries on a bit - then that sort of thing can spread through the footy club,” Hawkins said.  

“I think our recruiting staff have done a fantastic job in that sense, but also having older senior players like Corey Enright, Steve Johnson Jimmy Bartel and James Kelly, they are all great role models so we learn a lot from those sort of players.

“And I’ve been there when Matty Scarlett, Cam Mooney, Cameron Ling and Tom Harley were there, so I’ve learnt a hell of a lot, not only from the coaches but from the playing staff as well.”

Also from the very beginning, new players are taught how to play their footy the Geelong way.

“They know the game plan back to front and I think that’s really important and they’re ready to play.”

“I don’t think we’ve ever picked players that aren’t quite there. It’s impressive and it’s great to see and we’ve got a couple of other little gems who are playing in the VFL system that we’ll see in the latter part of the year and over the next few years.”

Easter Monday the Cats and Hawks will meet at the MCG where one contender will be kicked off their perch.