Few AFL careers last 17 seasons at one club. Tom Hawkins managed it — and then faced the hardest question in sport: what comes after? For the Geelong legend, the answer includes a cattle farm, a commentary role at Fox Footy, and a family stepping away from the only footprint they’ve known in Victoria. Here’s how the 36-year-old is writing his post-football chapter, backed by the numbers from his 359-game, 796-goal career (AFL.com.au (official league site)).
AFL seasons played: 17 ·
Instagram followers: 148K ·
Farm size for sale: 150 acres ·
Age at retirement: 36
Quick snapshot
- Retired in 2024 after 17 seasons at Geelong (AFL.com.au)
- Played 359 games, kicked 796 goals (AFL.com.au) (AFL.com.au)
- Married to Emma Hawkins, three children (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- Joined Fox Footy commentary team (Fox Footy (sports media))
- Exact net worth – no verified public figure available (Domain (property listing on Facebook))
- Long-term commentary plans at Fox Footy (Domain (property listing on Facebook))
- Details of new property after farm sale (Domain (property listing on Facebook))
- Children’s names (Wikipedia) (Domain (property listing on Facebook))
- Drafted by Geelong in 2006 (Wikipedia)
- AFL debut in 2007 (Wikipedia)
- Two premierships: 2011, 2022 (Wikipedia)
- Retirement announced August 2024 (AFL.com.au)
- Fox Footy commentary team (Fox Footy) (Nutrien Ag Solutions (agricultural company))
- Cattle farming with Nutrien Ag Solutions (Nutrien Ag Solutions (agricultural company))
- Moving to a new property after farm sale (Domain) (Nutrien Ag Solutions (agricultural company))
Eight key facts, one pattern: Hawkins’ identity is woven as much from farming as from footy.
| Label | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Jack Hawkins | Wikipedia |
| Born | 21 July 1988 | Wikipedia |
| Height | 196 cm | Wikipedia |
| AFL Club | Geelong | AFL.com.au |
| Retired | 2024 | AFL.com.au |
| Wife | Emma Hawkins | Wikipedia |
| Children | 3 | Wikipedia |
| Farm Size | 150 acres (reported) | Domain |
Has Tom Hawkins retired?
Hawkins walked away at 36 with 359 games and two flags — a rare career arc that could have continued if not for a foot injury that limited his 2024 season.
Yes. Tom Hawkins announced his retirement from the AFL on 6 August 2024, ending a 17-season career entirely with the Geelong Cats (AFL.com.au). He informed the club and the public via an Instagram post that was widely covered by sports media (Fox Footy).
What happened to Tom Hawkins?
Hawkins’ 2024 season was disrupted by a persistent foot injury. According to Wikipedia, round 15 became his last AFL game. He finished with 796 goals — the 13th-highest total in VFL/AFL history — and ranked 15th for games played (AFL.com.au).
When did Tom Hawkins announce retirement?
The announcement came on 6 August 2024. Fox Footy’s AFL 360 covered the news that evening (Fox Footy / AFL 360 (broadcast coverage)). He entered the 2024 season needing 19 goals to reach 800, but the injury stopped that milestone short (Wikipedia).
The implication: Hawkins left the game as one of the most durable key forwards of his era, even if his final season was cut short.
What does Tom Hawkins do now?
Hawkins isn’t just filling time — his post-footy life combines the two things he’s always identified with: farming and footy commentary.
What is Tom Hawkins’ current job?
Hawkins immediately joined Fox Footy’s commentary team, as confirmed by his verified Instagram bio: “Father. Husband @emmahawkins_ Retired 🐱 FoxFooty Commentary Team” (Instagram (verified profile)). He also officially joined Nutrien Ag Solutions in 2024 as an agricultural ambassador (Nutrien Ag Solutions).
Tom Hawkins’ role as FoxFooty commentator
Fox Footy described Hawkins as a “triple premiership Cats legend” when announcing his retirement coverage (Fox Footy). His commentary role gives him a regular platform during the AFL season. Whether he intends to stay long-term remains unconfirmed — his public statements have focused more on farming.
Tom Hawkins’ farm life
Football and farming are central to his life. In a 2023 sponsored feature by Can-Am, Hawkins stated he identifies himself as a farmer and described the family farm as part of his retirement planning (Can-Am feature (sponsored content)). A 2025 podcast appearance reinforced that he runs a small cattle property while working with Nutrien Ag Solutions (Apple Podcasts (podcast appearance)).
The trade-off: Hawkins traded the roar of the crowd for the quiet of a paddock — but he keeps a foot in both worlds via the commentary box.
Does Tom Hawkins have children?
While Hawkins shares his farming life openly, he and his wife Emma keep their children’s names private — a deliberate boundary in an otherwise public post-career.
How many children does Tom Hawkins have?
Tom and his wife Emma have three children (Wikipedia). The family took a temporary holiday in London earlier in 2024, where the children were described as “farm kids” in a social media report (Domain). According to the Domain Facebook post that covered the family’s farm sale, the children are described as growing up on the property. That suggests the 150-acre farm near Geelong has been a central part of their upbringing.
What this means: Hawkins is building a life that introduces his kids to the same land-based values that shaped his own post-footy identity.
Where is Tom Hawkins living?
The farm is on the market, but Hawkins isn’t leaving Geelong — he and his wife are moving to a new property that better suits their next chapter.
Where is Tom Hawkins’ farm?
Hawkins owns a 150-acre cattle farm near Geelong, Victoria (Domain). The exact location has not been publicly disclosed, but Domain reported that the family is “bidding farewell” to the property.
Why is Tom Hawkins selling his cattle farm?
The farm was listed for sale in 2024 for a reported $4 million, according to multiple media reports citing Domain. The sale appears to be part of a planned move to a new property — Hawkins and his wife Emma are reportedly consolidating their post-footy life on a different piece of land.
Why this matters: The shift from one farm to another signals that Hawkins is committed to agriculture long-term, not just as a retirement hobby.
How much is Tom Hawkins worth?
Without a verified financial disclosure, any net worth figure is speculative — but Hawkins’ multi-year AFL contracts and brand ambassador roles clearly put him in the million-dollar bracket.
Tom Hawkins net worth estimate
Publicly available sources do not provide a verified net worth for Tom Hawkins. Search results often return unrelated pages or estimates from unverifiable aggregators. However, given his 17-season AFL career, including a multi-year contract with Geelong, and endorsement roles with brands like Crown and NiceRice, experts estimate his wealth in the low millions.
Tom Hawkins AFL contract details
Hawkins signed multiple contracts with Geelong, the most recent being a two-year deal in 2022 that took him through the 2024 season (AFL.com.au). His playing salary during his peak years would have placed him among the league’s top earners at his position.
The implication: Fans eager for a dollar figure will have to wait — Hawkins’ wealth is private, but his post-career moves suggest comfort, not necessity.
Timeline: Tom Hawkins’ AFL career
- – Drafted by Geelong (Wikipedia)
- – AFL debut (Wikipedia)
- – Won first AFL premiership (Wikipedia)
- – Won second AFL premiership (Wikipedia)
- – Announced retirement (AFL.com.au)
- – 150-acre cattle farm listed for sale (Domain)
Confirmed facts
- Retired in 2024 after 17 seasons at Geelong (AFL.com.au)
- Married to Emma Hawkins (Wikipedia)
- Three children (Wikipedia)
- Owns a 150-acre cattle farm near Geelong (Domain)
- Farm listed for sale in 2024 (Domain)
- Joined Fox Footy commentary team (Fox Footy)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth – no verified public figure available
- Children’s names – kept private (Wikipedia)
- New property details after farm sale (Domain)
- Whether he will continue commentary long-term (Instagram)
- Farm sale price – reported $4 million unverified (Domain)
Quotes and perspectives
Father. Husband @emmahawkins_ Retired 🐱 FoxFooty Commentary Team.
— Tom Hawkins, Instagram bio (verified profile)
Football and farming are central to his life… he identified himself as a farmer.
— Can-Am feature (sponsored content)
Geelong Cats legend Tom Hawkins announced his retirement at the end of the 2024 season.
— Fox Footy (sports media)
For Tom Hawkins, the transition from AFL star to farmer and commentator is still unfolding. The decision to sell the 150-acre property and move to a new farm signals a deliberate shift — and for Cats fans watching his next chapter, the real game is just beginning.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Tom Hawkins?
Tom Hawkins is 196 cm (6 ft 5 in) tall, as listed on his Wikipedia profile.
Did Tom Hawkins write a book?
There is no record of Tom Hawkins publishing a book. He has not announced any plans for an autobiography.
What is Tom Hawkins’ connection to Willie Nelson?
No direct connection has been publicly reported. The question may stem from a fan association or a social media joke, but no credible source links them.
Is Tom Hawkins on social media?
Yes, he is active on Instagram at @tomhawkins_ with 148K followers as of 2024.
What number did Tom Hawkins wear?
Hawkins wore the number 26 guernsey for Geelong throughout his AFL career (Wikipedia).
How many goals did Tom Hawkins kick in his career?
He kicked 796 goals in 359 AFL games, ranking 13th on the all-time VFL/AFL goal-kicking list (AFL.com.au).
What is Tom Hawkins’ net worth exactly?
No verified net worth figure exists in public records. Estimates are speculative; his wealth likely comes from AFL contracts and endorsements.
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James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian News Desk, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.