Amongst the long list of accolades that Tom Hawkins accumulated throughout his storied career, you would be forgiven for forgetting about his dominant performance in game number 250, when the big Cat steered his side home in a 2019 thriller against the Swans. 

Geelong had started the season in remarkable fashion winning 10 of their first 11 games, but started to stumble after the bye losing three out of five matches leading into an important clash with Sydney in Round 19.

The stakes were high with just two games separating first down to fifth on the ladder heading into the pointy end of the season, with the Cats also looking to celebrate their milestone man. 

It was that man Hawkins in his 250th game that opened proceedings for Geelong, nailing a brilliant set-shot finish from tight against the boundary early in the first term to get the Cats on the board. 

04:09

Time Cat-Sule Round 23 | Hawkins Hauls In Five In Away Victory

Tom Hawkins kicked five to put away the Swans in this 2019 game at the SCG!

Taking on Sydney on their home deck is never an easy task and the Swans were more than up for the challenge on this occasion, kicking three of the first four goals to leave the Cats trailing by 14 points at quarter time. 

The Cats tightened the screws with quick goals to Esava Ratugolea and Patrick Dangerfield early in the second quarter, Hawkins slotted his second major shortly after and followed up with a third prior to half time, Geelong were able to chip away at the deficit but scores remained level heading into the main break. 

Hawkins once again was proving to be the difference early in the second half, the big Cat showing a clean pair of heels near the top of the goal square and curling home his fourth goal, just 24 seconds into the third quarter. 

It proved to be the moment that broke the game open for Geelong. 

Patrick Dangerfield kicked his second major of the contest, Jordan Clark and Mitch Duncan also hit the scoreboard in a dominant period of play from the Cats, a run of five unanswered goals putting the Cats 27-points clear with five minutes remaining in the third term. 

But with all the momentum rolling Geelong's way and the lead looking comfortable, Sydney were once again able to respond to the challenge through Jordan Dawson who booted the final goal of the third quarter and the first of the fourth term, pulling the Swans back within 16-points with plenty of time still on the clock. 

Needing to settle things down and looking to wrestle back the ascendancy, Hawkins was the one who stood tall and kicked his fifth goal of the contest, Joel Selwood following with one of his own moments later to help the Cats re-establish a 29-point buffer. 

Sydney would mount another challenge through Isaac Heeney who booted two goals in quick succession, but Geelong slammed the door shut once and for all with a three goal burst in three minutes to build an unassailable lead with time ticking down in the final term. 

An entertaining fourth quarter saw the two teams kick 11 goals between them, the Cats able to close out a 27-point victory to solidify their spot on top of the ladder. 

Hawkins was the hero in his 250th game finishing with five goals and 10 score involvements, taking four contested marks en route to two votes on Brownlow night. 

Tim Kelly (31 disposals) would ultimately receive the three votes for an impressive performance, while Mitch Duncan (26 disposals, two goals) and Patrick Dangerfield (25 disposals, two goals) were at their brilliant best. 

2019 Round 19 – Sydney v Geelong @ SCG

SYDNEY       3.3      6.5     7.6      12.8    (80)
GEELONG     1.1      6.5    10.10    16.11   (107)

GOALS: Hawkins 5, Clark, Dangerfield, Duncan 2, Atkins, Parsons, Ratugolea, J.Selwood, S.Selwood 1

DISPOSALS: Kelly 31, Duncan 26, Dangerfield 25, J.Selwood 24, S.Selwood 23, Ablett 21

BROWNLOW VOTES: Tim Kelly (3), Tom Hawkins (2), Mitch Duncan (1)

CROWD: 32,911 @ SCG

GEELONG STARTING 22
4. Gary Ablett
6. Jordan Clark
7. Harry Taylor
8. Jake Kolodjashnij
9. Zac Smith
11. Tim Kelly
14. Joel Selwood
16. Scott Selwood
17. Esava Ratugolea
22. Mitch Duncan
24. Jed Bews
26. Tom Hawkins
29. Cam Guthrie
30. Tom Atkins
32. Gryan Miers
34. James Parsons
35. Patrick Dangerfield
38. Jack Henry
40. Luke Dahlhaus
42. Mark O'Connor
44. Tom Stewart
46. Mark Blicavs