How do you rate Tom Hawkins against his peers this century?

[Dry Rot]

There have been lots of really good to great tall forwards this century.

Earlier on, there was Brown and Lloyd, followed by Saint Riewoldt and Buddy followed by Tiger Riewoldt and some say Lynch. Not to forget my favourite - Kennedy at the Eagles. I am sure I've missed some key names.

So after 350 games, how do you rate Tom Hawkins against his peers this century?

And what are your top five power forwards in order this century so far?

[GVGjr]

I don't rate his as high when pitted against some of the better key forwards but for durability and effort he's been phenomenal.
He could go another season.

[Dry Rot]

I don't rate his as high when pitted against some of the better key forwards but for durability and effort he's been phenomenal.
He could go another season.

Fair enough, I have never been a great fan of Hawkins.

So who are your top five in order this century?

[ledge]

Rated on longevity and consistency he is up there for sure.
As an honest player as well, which I rate highly.
He deserves the accolades, at the beginning being a manchild and so much bigger than kids he played with he just bullied his way but I applaud him for not falling away when he found himself against the same build and bigger, he didnt give up like a lot of man child’s he worked his arse off to still make it,

[Dry Rot]

Rated on longevity and consistency he is up there for sure.
As an honest player as well, which I rate highly.
He deserves the accolades, at the beginning being a manchild and so much bigger than kids he played with he just bullied his way but I applaud him for not falling away when he found himself against the same build and bigger, he didnt give up like a lot of man child’s he worked his arse off to still make it,

But how does he rate against your top 5? Who are they?

[ledge]

But how does he rate against your top 5? Who are they?

He would probably be number 2 behind Franklin, if we go on the last 15 years. It’s hard to put them in order but Kennedy and Reiwoldt would be in it as well.

[Dry Rot]

My top three would be Brown, Franklin and Kennedy.

With the next two, I would have the two Riewoldts and Lloyd in the mix.

All that clearly leaves Hawkins out of my top five.

[jeemak]

He plays for Geelong so that immediately makes him amazing, but he's only been the Coleman medalist once in 17 years.

His acolytes will say he gives away so many goals because of his generosity, and that's actually good, so how do you define his role and his output?

He's never going to be Buddy, he's never going to be Fev who was a FF in a shit team a lot of the time. He won't be Lloyd, nor will he be Gehrig or Kennedy, because they kicked more in individual seasons and won the title.

But he straightens them up (ironically on a ground that doesn't require play to be straightened) and he formed a part of three premiership teams which is more than all of the others outside of Roughead who played a similar role.

So he's top few, that should be enough.

[Dry Rot]

Agreed, all good points. I don't think Hawkins is one of the best.

Shit, I'd forgotten about Fev who did so well in such a shit team.

And Gehrig.

There's allegedly a very funny story about Fraser drunk as a skunk at a bar next to the daughter of a Victorian police detective. Do you know that story?

Great FF.

[1eyedog]

Not in my top 5 I actually probably have Pav in front of him for sixth place although that's a coin toss.

5. Richo (athletic, entertaining and an elite contested mark).
4. Jonathon Brown (brave, tough and stood up again and again when they needed him)
3. Nick Riewoldt (modern day Royce Hart, mobile, massive tank and the best mark in this group).
2. Lloyd (Brilliant performer good at everything, last of the traditionalists).
1. Buddy. Good at everything as well as things we didn't think were possible.

[jeemak]

Agreed, all good points. I don't think Hawkins is one of the best.

Shit, I'd forgotten about Fev who did so well in such a shit team.

And Gehrig.

There's allegedly a very funny story about Fraser drunk as a skunk at a bar next to the daughter of a Victorian police detective. Do you know that story?

Great FF.

I know a story that's almost exactly the same as that but it isn't funny.

[jeemak]

Not in my top 5 I actually probably have Pav in front of him for sixth place although that's a coin toss.

5. Richo
4. Jonathon Brown
3. Nick Riewoldt
2. Lloyd
1. Buddy

Brown is a charlatan of a footballer......well, he's not but I think he's overrated.

I used to have friends who said he was better than Chris Grant. As I said, used to have friends.......

[1eyedog]

Brown is a charlatan of a footballer......well, he's not but I think he's overrated.

I used to have friends who said he was better than Chris Grant. As I said, used to have friends.......

Yeah I get it he's a bit like Hawkins but a bit better. I think Brown was a great on field leader and made them walk taller. As a team mate you just knew that he was prepared to die for you and I kinda dig that.

Grant was a better footballer no doubt.

[jeemak]

Yeah I get it he's a bit like Hawkins but a bit better.

Good to have you back and agreeing with me mate.

[1eyedog]

If Grant didn't go back surely has to be top 3.