- Cats forward Tom Hawkins played the starring role in the win over Hawks
- AFL has launched an investigation into his conduct
- Champion attacker risks a huge fine
Geelong star Tom Hawkins could face a huge fine from the AFL after footage emerged of the champion looking at a phone during a stoppage in play in the Cats’ Easter Monday match with Hawthorn.
It has since been confirmed that the phone belonged to Geelong player development officer Mark Worthington and that Hawkins was just looking at weather patterns.
In unusual scenes, just as the fourth quarter was about to start, players were sent back to their dressing rooms by the referees when lightning struck near the MCG.
Strict AFL rules prohibit players from accessing phones during play and during stoppages due to concerns about gambling and corrupt activity.
Although Hawkins – who was celebrating his 350th game – did not use his own phone, the AFL could still rule that he had breached the competition’s integrity rules.
Geelong star Tom Hawkins could face a huge fine from the AFL after Easter Monday clash with Hawthorn
The champion striker was spotted looking at a phone in the changing rooms before the match ended (pictured)
Hawkins insists he was looking at weather patterns on Geelong player development officer Mark Worthington’s phone (the two are pictured above) because the fourth quarter was postponed due to a lightning strike
On the field, Hawkins – who was celebrating his 350th career game in the AFL – scored four goals in Geelong’s 36-point win over Hawthorn
In 2021, Collingwood was fined $20,000 for a similar incident involving Magpies players Jordan De Goey and Jeremy Howe.
Both stars communicated with family and friends after being injured on the field.
At the time, the AFL maintained Collingwood had breached Rule 30, which prohibits the use and possession of communications equipment during a match.
After the game, Hawkins tried to clear up the confusion.
“Our player development manager, I asked him about the radar, I wanted to see what was coming our way – it definitely wasn’t my phone,” Hawkins told Channel 7.
On the field, Hawkins scored four goals in Geelong’s 36-point win over their arch-rivals.
After missing the final in 2023, the Cats are undefeated this season.
They will next face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on April 6 in the Gather Round.
