Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins has dismissed suggestions the Cats are too old to make a genuine impact in the AFL next year and is confident his partnership with Jeremy Cameron can kick on to another level.
The Cats have been consistently at the top end of the ladder in recent seasons but now have several key players aged 30 or more, while their 2021 season was unceremoniously ended by an 83-point preliminary final thumping from Melbourne.
"I have heard we are an ageing list," Hawkins said.
"I don't feel like that. I don't look around our side and think we're a certain age demographic.
"We may or may not be the oldest club. I look at our group and think we've got wonderful experience with an injection of youth this year, new people, new faces.
"I think we're in a wonderful position and personally I'm just always grateful as a player to play in a side that each year gets the opportunity to compete and win at the highest level.
"So I'm always thankful. Not because I'm biased but I envision Geelong will be competitive for season 2022 and then moving forward into the future."
Hamstring injuries limited Cameron to just 15 games in his maiden season at Geelong after crossing from GWS.
But the athletic forward still booted 39 goals, alongside Hawkins' 62 and Gary Rohan's 32, with his teammate confident the best was yet to come.
"I always think chemistry in any sport is important," Hawkins said.
"Particularly because Jeremy and I are permanent forwards and are key position players, your chemistry is really important as keys.
"That's going to be important moving forward.
"It's hard for even a senior player like Jeremy to change clubs, come into a new environment, come into a new system, be injured (then) really fully fit in within a system, understand the intricacies of how players kick the footy and what they like to do.
"It'll be wonderful for him, it'll be great for me, it'll be great for the team."
Meanwhile, Hawkins was excited by the prospect of teaming up with former Richmond and Adelaide small forward Tyson Stengle, who is getting a fresh AFL opportunity with the Cats after a strong SANFL season.
Australian Associated Press
