A TRIP to Perth to play NAB Cup games against West Coast and Fremantle is not every Victorian-based footballer's idea of a great start to the season.
But Geelong key forward Tom Hawkins is very keen to be part of the Cats' round one matches against the Eagles and Freo at Patersons Stadium on February 16.
"The NAB Cup is really good for me," Hawkins told AFL.com.au.
"I like to get a few games under my belt, because you can do all the training, running around and lifting in the gym that you like, but it never quite prepares you for what it's like in an actual game.
"So I think it's vital that I get a few games in (before round one of the home and away season).
"I don't know exactly what the coaches want to do with me yet, but I'd like to play most of the NAB Cup games.
"Those games are a great stepping-stone for the year ahead."
Last year Hawkins enjoyed plenty of game-time during the NAB Cup, leading the way up forward while James Podsiadly was recovering from his dislocated shoulder.
This time around the 'Tomahawk' is confident he can again hit the ground running.
"It's been a really well run pre-season. A lot of thought has gone into it, through the whole sports science department, so everyone is feeling pretty fit and running well and lifting well in the gym, and training has been really good," he said.
"It has been hard but it's been enjoyable. We've had an extra couple of weeks than in the past, which is good in some ways, but we would've liked to have played deeper into September."
As for whether Geelong's game-style will change markedly this year, Hawkins said: "I think defence is a big part of footy, so we would like to defend better.
"We'd like to improve our attack as well, but I think great teams are built on defence and that's what we're striving to do."
The Cats conceded an average of 86.2 points per game last year, up from 73.4 per game when they won the premiership in 2011.
"I think you'll see us be a bit more organised when we're defending this year," Hawkins said.
"In saying that, we haven't spent all our time on defence. We're still looking good in attack, so we think we can find a good balance."
Adam McNicol covers Geelong news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_AdamMcNicol
