𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒: 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐭 𝐆𝐌𝐇𝐁𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐚𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐚𝐰𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬, 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐱 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐬……𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞

GEELONG, VIC, AUSTRALIA — A tidal wave of excitement rippled through the Geelong Cats community today after club great Tom Hawkins delivered a heartfelt message to senior coach Chris Scott, electrifying fans at GMHBA Stadium and beyond.

The long‑time Cats fan favourite — a three‑time premiership player and one of the most revered figures in recent club history — reached out publicly, offering unwavering support to Scott and the playing group. His words, resonant with reflection and optimism, came amid swirling anticipation surrounding a **major update involving star midfielder Max Holmes.

 

Hawkins, who retired at the end of the 2024 season after an iconic career with Geelong where he kicked nearly 800 goals and became a club favourite, addressed Scott directly in a message that combined gratitude, challenge, and belief in the Cats’ future direction.

 

Though the full text of Hawkins’ message has not been formally published, club insiders say it included:

 

Unqualified praise for Scott’s leadership and longevity as coach.

 

A reminder of the club’s proud culture and identity.

 

A call to harness the burgeoning talent within the squad — particularly its emerging younger stars.

 

Community Erupts Over Major Holmes Announcement

The Cats faithful erupted online and in social media as reports circulated of a major announcement involving Max Holmes, one of the team’s fastest‑rising midfield stars.

 

Holmes — now widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in the AFL, having earned back‑to‑back best and fairest honours and All‑Australian recognition contention during the 2024 and 2025 seasons — is reportedly central to the club’s future plans.

 

Speculation surrounding the announcement hints at a contract extension or leadership elevation, moves that would further cement Holmes’ status as a cornerstone of the Cats’ midfield for years to come. Fans have flooded forums and club channels with reactions, celebrating everything from the prospect of Holmes wearing leadership guernsey numbers to his continued development as a genuine star in the competition.

 

Geelong Cats supporters, known for their passionate backing of homegrown talent, took to social platforms in droves — many posting tributes both to Hawkins’ legacy and to the sense of renewal embodied by Holmes’ rising stature.

 

Chris Scott: Calm, Focused, and Relentlessly Committed

While Hawkins’ sentiments and the Holmes buzz have dominated headlines, coach Chris Scott has remained characteristically measured in public.

 

Scott — who led Geelong to multiple finals appearances and premiership success — has emphasized team cohesion and accountability heading into the new season. He has previously spoken highly of the club’s balance between experienced campaigners and exciting young talent, and he appears primed to integrate Holmes further into his strategic vision.

 

Whether the “major announcement” will involve Holmes stepping into a leadership group role, committing long‑term to the Cats, or another milestone entirely remains the subject of intense fan speculation — but one thing is clear: the anticipation around the club’s future is electric.

 

Looking Ahead

As Geelong continues its pre‑season build‑up and prepares for another competitive AFL campaign, the combination of Hawkins’ enduring legacy, Scott’s steady stewardship, and Holmes’ star trajectory has left the Cats community buzzing with optimism.

 

From the terraces of GMHBA Stadium to the dozens of fan pages lighting up on social media, one message is unmistakable: the pride and passion of Cats Country is well and truly alive.