Tom Hawkins is looking forward to playing in front of the club’s passionate supporters when the Cats host the Bombers in the opening round of the AAMI Community Series on Saturday.

The annual Powercor Country Festival pre-season game between both clubs is usually held in Colac, but this year will return to GMHBA Stadium.

“I have always loved going to Colac and I like the fact that we play regional games but coming off the back of last year I think we are all excited to just have footy back in our region and for us it is in Geelong this year,” Hawkins.

10:45

Hawkins Press Conference

Tom Hawkins speaks on new recruits, adjusting with new rules, and improvements to be made against Bombers on Saturday.

The Powercor Country Festival was launched in 2016 and Hawkins has been a part of it since the very beginning.

Having spent his childhood growing up in Finlay on his family’s farm, Hawkins has a real connection to this particular fixture.

“It is something that resonates with me with my background growing up in country New South Wales where football clubs and netball clubs are a social gathering for people.

Tom Hawkins and Zach Merrett

“After what has happened with the isolation periods and lockdown, people in regional areas have been even more isolated, so getting footy back in country areas is going to be really important, but also getting it back to us in Geelong is going to be good for the town, great for the sponsors and the players are going to really enjoy it as well.”

Saturday's game at GMHBA Stadium will commence at 7.10pm AEDT.