“Pre-season is about getting fit and as best prepared for an AFL season as you can,” Hawkins told SEN yesterday.
“It’s going to be hard, we look forward to the challenge, it’s not that enjoyable but it’s a part of what we do.”
Pre-season training began for the Cats’ 1-4 year players yesterday, with the 5+ year group joining in from December 1.
Despite an extended holiday break, Hawkins was quick to assure Cats fans that he and his teammates will return to the club in good form.
“We keep ourselves in good condition; we’ve got off-season programs that we adhere to.
“It makes life too tough if you slip away, you put on a few kilos.
“It just becomes too hard to get yourself prepared for the first round of the year.”
Hawkins is also looking forward to getting stuck into training with his new teammate, Mitch Clark who will bolster the Cats forward-line in 2015.
“I made it clear to Mitch when I met him that the 50 metre arc belongs to me and he can work up the ground,” Hawkins joked.
“Short-term he’s going to be really great for the Geelong footy club, he’s a bit of a hand for me and he will help in our ruck department.”
Not only does Clark offer a strong body on-field, according to Hawkins, he will offer leadership for the club’s young developing forwards.
“He’s going to be really good for our younger players in developing. Nathan Vardy, Rhys Stanley, Shane Kersten and Josh Walker, there’s plenty of blokes he will help.
“I’m really excited by the prospect of having him.”
