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Geelong coach Chris Scott says he does not understand ongoing criticism of Tom Hawkins's form, but he did confirm the record-breaking veteran will sit out the Cats' upcoming clash with Gold Coast in Darwin.
Hawkins ended his four-match goal drought with a single major in the Cats' narrow 15.11 (101) to 14.10 (96) loss to Port Adelaide at Kardinia Park on Friday night.
But the 35-year-old was limited to just seven disposals by former teammate Esava Ratugolea in another subdued display that is likely to intensify the spotlight on his form.
Scott held back from launching a full-scale defence of Hawkins but stuck up for the three-time premiership forward following the Cats' second consecutive loss.
"I guess the only kind of negative emotion that I feel is a bit of confusion," Scott said.
"It's a bit like the Tom Stewart thing. If you want to be the best player in the comp, the expectations around your performance are going to be higher than everyone else.
"So you take the good with the bad."
Hawkins, who has kicked 791 goals over a career spanning 18 seasons, continues to attract some of the competition's best defenders for opponents.
"He's topical. He's been such a good player and he's still such an important player for us," Scott said.
"It's not the only test but if you survey our opponents and ask, 'Do you want him to play or not?', I'm assuming they would say not. That's still the way I look at it.
"I thought he had some really nice moments as the game went on as well, but we didn't get the ball forward much early on."
Scott said the club had planned for Hawkins to be rested in round 10, skipping the meeting with the Suns that comes on a six-day break and includes travel.
It will allow Hawkins to surpass long-time teammate Joel Selwood's record for most matches played for the Cats — currently 355 — when they host GWS at Kardinia Park in round 11.
"I think he's going physically pretty well," Scott said.
AAP
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