Toast Tom Hawkins' goal kicking

[catempire]

6.1 today giving him 25.5 for the season (76% accuracy), clearly the best of the top 20 goalkickers in the league.

Would have to be just about the biggest transformation in a forward's goal kicking accuracy ever, wouldn't it? Two years ago he couldn't be trusted 15m directly in front.

Bravo Hawk.

 

[Strangled Cat]

He kicked beautifully today it was a pleasure watching him live.

 

[bigfarter]

I was thinking as I watched the game "Is he the best set shot in the league now?" I'm sure there are others that I'm not thinking of but, as stated, he's easily the best of the leading goalkickers. Lindsay Thomas has done a similar turnaround. It's quite stunning and just goes to show that confidence and hard work can make all the difference. He had a bunny opponent today but it was a pleasure watching Tommy slot them through the middle.

 

[footscore]

hate to use a basketball phase here but Hawkins is pure clutch!
When we need a goal and we are down 4 goals or need one to stem the momentum, he bloody nails them more than any other player in the league I reckon.

I remember Jonathan Brown in his prime, back in 2005/2007, he would always slot the crucial goals anywhere around 50 and Hawkins is right now the best clutch goal kicker in the comp.

Strange thing is, he's done this early on in his career as well, that 2009 grand final goal and it's just continued on from there.

 

[Turbocat]

So why did he go for the J curve from 15 out , almost infront. When struggling I understand but he is kicking that well , just go back and slot it Hawk

 

[catempire]

So why di he go for the J curve from 15 out , almost infront. When struggling I understand but he is kick that well , just go back and slot it Hawk

Yeah, that's got me a bit miffed Turbo. It's like he feels more comfortable with that kick on that side of the 50m arc inside say, 30m. Don't know why though.

 

[magic_johnson!]

No problem with the banana. If he was more confident that a banana would get the 6 points, go for it. All good saying oh he missed it he should have kicked a drop punt, but you wouldn't go around after he misses a drop punt saying he shoulda snapped. I can't believe however that i'm now confident whenever he has a shot... Crazy transformation

 

[manboob]

hate to use a basketball phase here but Hawkins is pure clutch!
When we need a goal and we are down 4 goals or need one to stem the momentum, he bloody nails them more than any other player in the league I reckon.

I remember Jonathan Brown in his prime, back in 2005/2007, he would always slot the crucial goals anywhere around 50 and Hawkins is right now the best clutch goal kicker in the comp.

Strange thing is, he's done this early on in his career as well, that 2009 grand final goal and it's just continued on from there.

I still think Jimmy has him covered. so big deal we've got number 1 and 2.

 

[darren forssman]

what is with the space jam effect?

namely hawkins & stokes.

 

[Cat A]

I had the game live on my phone ( I love living in the future ) and there was a front on shot of him stooped over and he's just this massive shoulder guy, looking fitter than ever, not that that only just occured to me or anything.

 

[Scuderia]

83.34 percent for the season.

 

[FredLeDeux]

So why did he go for the J curve from 15 out , almost infront. When struggling I understand but he is kicking that well , just go back and slot it Hawk

Looked like a goal anyway, but we'll never know, because Channel 7 didn't even bother showing any relevant replays.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

I had the game live on my phone ( I love living in the future ) and there was a front on shot of him stooped over and he's just this massive shoulder guy, looking fitter than ever, not that that only just occured to me or anything.

Yeah, it's great. I put an instant coffee in my microwave and went back in time just to see it again.

 

[SuperCats9]

I was thinking as I watched the game "Is he the best set shot in the league now?" I'm sure there are others that I'm not thinking of but, as stated, he's easily the best of the leading goalkickers. Lindsay Thomas has done a similar turnaround. It's quite stunning and just goes to show that confidence and hard work can make all the difference. He had a bunny opponent today but it was a pleasure watching Tommy slot them through the middle.

Jack Reiwoldt is a very good kick for goal now too.

 

[Cat A]

Yeah, it's great. I put an instant coffee in my microwave and went back in time just to see it again.

Amazing.

 

[The rabbi]

Yeah, it's great. I put an instant coffee in my microwave and went back in time just to see it again.

Do I detect some sarcasm there Reg?

 

[iameviljez]

6.1 today giving him 25.5 for the season (76% accuracy), clearly the best of the top 20 goalkickers in the league.

Would have to be just about the biggest transformation in a forward's goal kicking accuracy ever, wouldn't it? Two years ago he couldn't be trusted 15m directly in front.

Bravo Hawk.

He seems to be caressing the ball a lot more (they mentioned this on the radio too). I suspect it could be that when he really kicks through it, it tends to get a lot more of that left-to-right on it and seems to float. Ah well, it's working for him.

 

[jim boy]

No problem with the banana. If he was more confident that a banana would get the 6 points, go for it. All good saying oh he missed it he should have kicked a drop punt, but you wouldn't go around after he misses a drop punt saying he shoulda snapped. I can't believe however that i'm now confident whenever he has a shot... Crazy transformation

Lethal on 3AW suggested that when in that close, some players prefer that style of goal kicking as you get more of your foot on the ball.

I've always thought that Hawkins goal kicking was technically fine. It's just that he has the confidence now which results in him not over-working the kick.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Do I detect some sarcasm there Reg?

Not even a bit. Harmless humor.

 

[Partridge]

6.1 today giving him 25.5 for the season (76% accuracy), clearly the best of the top 20 goalkickers in the league.

Would have to be just about the biggest transformation in a forward's goal kicking accuracy ever, wouldn't it? Two years ago he couldn't be trusted 15m directly in front.

Bravo Hawk.

A mate of mine (who's a Hawthorn fan, and reasonable - they do exist) said very wisely last year about Hawkins that no matter how good the coaching and training is, you can't make a guy be confident. It has to come from within. He went from hoping he was good enough, to thinking he is, and now he knows he is. Makes all the difference.

 

[Senatorguesty]

Lethal on 3AW suggested that when in that close, some players prefer that style of goal kicking as you get more of your foot on the ball.

I've always thought that Hawkins goal kicking was technically fine. It's just that he has the confidence now which results in him not over-working the kick.

Although his actual kicking action was fluid and ok his technique coming into the kick was woeful.
Mostly due to the foot injury mind you but still woeful, he was walking in and not gaining enough momentum and then during the ball drop was rotating his shoulders and dropping it to the side of his foot, either shanking it in that direction or causing him to try to correct it and shank it the other (see 2011 GF for a good eg.).
Now though he gains enough momentum that his body carries through the ball when he kicks it and he now doesnt fade or push the ball and actually is quite a straight shot.

 

[catempire]

A mate of mine (who's a Hawthorn fan, and reasonable - they do exist) said very wisely last year about Hawkins that no matter how good the coaching and training is, you can't make a guy be confident. It has to come from within. He went from hoping he was good enough, to thinking he is, and now he knows he is. Makes all the difference.

No doubt confidence is/was a big factor. I'm intrigued as to how he turned it around though. Apparently Caracella did a lot of work with him. I'm sure this was not just on bio-mechanical technique but also on mindset.

 

[The Casey Cat]

Giving himself more room behind the man on the mark has helped too.

 

[CF]

They showed a slow-mo of one of his goals in the Port game and his ball drop is just superb. Then he has that strong follow through. Fantastic technique.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Giving himself more room behind the man on the mark has helped too.

I remember that was a common criticism of Tom amongst commentators - he'd NEARLY ALWAYS start his run-up too close to the man on the mark! Of course the stress-fractures and 'hot spots' in his feet never helped either...