World Footy News

Tom Hawkins from the Geelong Football Club is the 2009 AFL Army Award winner. It was Hawkins’ brilliant smother and subsequent chase and tackle in Round 22 against Fremantle that secured him the award. He finished ahead of Port Adelaide’s Jacob Surjan (26 per cent).

The AFL Army Award was introduced in 2007 and celebrates on-field displays of courage, initiative and teamwork – values synonymous with both the Australian Defence Force and the Australian Football League. The 21-year-old forward was presented with the AFL Army Award Medal by Commander - Forces Command, Major General David Morrison, AM at the 2009 Four’N Twenty All-Australian Dinner held tonight. He will receive a travel voucher to the value of $10,000 and an Army experience.

Hawkins received 54 per cent of the public vote which was endorsed by the All-Australian committee comprising Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Adrian Anderson, Kevin Bartlett, Gerard Healy, James Hird, Glen Jakovich, Mark Ricciuto and Robert Walls.

Hawkins was recruited to Geelong as their third round father-son selection in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft and made his AFL debut in 2007. In his first season he earned a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination and was a member of the VFL Premiership team.Since 2007, he has played 41 games and kicked 55 goals. Hawkins has been a key component of the Geelong Football Club’s forward line in 2009, playing 22 games throughout the season and averaging 6 kicks, 6 marks and 1.3 goals.

Hawkins is very proud to win the award, which celebrates on-field courage, initiative and teamwork. "Honestly, I am surprised but still honoured to win this fantastic award. The act that I have been recognised for was one that all players would try to do for their team each week,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins also paid tribute to the Australian Defence Forces who sponsor the award. “Perhaps the greatest honour for me is that I have won an award that is named after our defence force. I look forward to the Army experience I receive as part of my prize and especially getting the chance to meet some of our brave soldiers.” he said.

Geelong’s Coach Mark Thompson praised the young player’s performance this year and congratulated him on his award. “I am extremely proud of Tom not only receiving this award but for his efforts as a whole this season. For a 21-year-old to battle week in, week out in a key forward role shows a lot of courage and ironically this is the very characteristic Tom has been recognised for.”

Commander - Forces Command, Major General David Morrison, AM commended Hawkins on his achievement and performance throughout the year. "On behalf of the Chief of Army, it’s a great honour for me to present the 2009 AFL Army Award, in recognition of a particular feat on the football field demonstrating Army's core values of courage, initiative and teamwork. "Tom Hawkins is to be congratulated for his efforts and I'm proud to present him with a medallion, a $10,000 travel package and an invitation to be a guest of the Army."

The 2008 AFL Army Award winner was Richmond’s Brett Delidio.