Hawkins milestone sums up Cats' success and longevity

In Friday's clash with Port Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium, triple-premiership spearhead Tom Hawkins will draw level with great mate Joel Selwood on 355 AFL games, a Geelong record.

Of Hawkins' current teammates, skipper Patrick Dangerfield (325 games, with 171 at Geelong), Mitch Duncan (280 games), Zach Tuohy (276, 156 with the Cats) and Mark Blicavs (254) haven't done shabbily either.

"The biggest thing is our ability to stay really competitive," Hawkins said.

"Over my time at Geelong we've missed the finals twice."

He paid credit to those who came before him, but noted: "As a player that comes through, and spending a significant amount of time, you're also in some ways being a leader.

"You help shape the place and the development of the group and the way it moves forward."

The Cats have also been a clear destination club of late.

Players thrive on the field, while they and their families enjoy the more relaxed environment outside of football.

"It's the balance and it's understanding that when you come to the club, you train hard, you get a lot of trust, and with that trust you've got to deliver," said Jimmy Bartel, who played 305 games for the Cats.

"Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins in particular in recent times have earned that trust because since they came in, they've worked incredibly hard at being great players. But on and off the field, it's their professionalism.

"So they get a good balance. It's good lifestyle down here, to have that balance, whether it be you're a golfer or surfer outside of footy, and it's a great place to raise family."

Selwood also heaped praise on his beloved club.

"We're fortunate that list management and the coach are willing to take a bit of a punt with it all,'' he said.

"But you find happiness and then you just try and have your best footy year ever. And I think that's what made it possible for all of us. ''

Selwood, with four flags to his name, has no doubt the current Cats, who sit second on the ladder with a 7-1 win-loss record, can contend again.

"Yeah they can. (They're) probably surprising a fair few," he said.

"But they're healthy at the moment, need to continue to stay healthy and enjoying what they're doing, too.

"It's not so much maybe Tom kicking the goals at the moment, but they're still kicking over 100 points consistently.

"So it's a bit of a joy to watch at the moment, just seeing them go about it.

"When I was leaving, I was happy to leave the footy club the way that it was because I could picture what they're doing right now. And that's important."

Australian Associated Press