AFL premiership hero Tom Hawkins and wife Emma have listed their 60-hectare farm for sale, in a key indication they’re moving away from the Geelong area. And he could be set to reunite with Cam Guthrie at another club in 2026 after the fellow premiership player wasn’t offered a new deal by the Cats.
Geelong announced on Monday that Guthrie, who helped the Cats win the 2022 flag, is departing the club after 240 games. The 33-year-old hasn’t been offered a new deal after an injury-plagued season in 2025.
Tom Hawkins and wife Emma (L) are selling their family farm, while Cam Guthrie (far right) is leaving Geelong after not being offered a new deal. Image: Getty
Geelong’s executive general manager of football Andrew Mackie said in a statement: “Cam has been an outstanding and dedicated servant of the Geelong Football Club, both on and off the field. He has been ultra-consistent and had the special ability to elevate his game in key moments and times of success, particularly throughout our 2022 premiership campaign. Cam will always be a great Geelong person, with his influence extending well beyond what he achieved on the field.”
Cameron Guthrie (L) and brother Zach after Geelong’s win in the 2022 grand final. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Tom Hawkins linked with Demons role amid $4m move with wife
As for Hawkins, the retired star played 359 games and won three premierships with the Cats, before hanging up the boots at the end of 2024. Since 2016 he’s lived with wife Emma and their three kids on a prestige rural property in Barrabool Hills – just outside of Geelong. But the family are closing that chapter of their lives and appear to be heading to Melbourne.
The Hawkins’ have listed the 60-hectare property for sale, and are expected to fetch around $4 million – a sizeable profit. Hawkins has been linked with potentially joining the Melbourne Demons as a part-time forwards coach, reuniting with new head coach Steven King – who was formally an assistant at Geelong.
Leading reporter Cal Twomey revealed recently: “Melbourne has interest in getting Geelong champion Tom Hawkins to the club as a part-time forwards coach. His old mate from the Cats Steven King has sounded him out about a role at the Dees amongst his other commitments next year and Hawkins has been weighing it up.”
RELATED:
According to realestate.com, the Hawkins’ are selling their beloved property due to “growing commitments outside the Geelong area and a future farming endeavour interstate”. Real estate agent Matt Poustie said: “They’ve absolutely loved the place. It’s been an awesome farm. It’s a beautiful rolling landscape, which the Barrabool Hills is obviously renowned for. The pastures are in great condition. (Tom) has been running cattle on the property. It’s turnkey ready to go for someone to take over.”
Tom Hawkins and his family appear to be leaving the Geelong area. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Tom Hawkins would be huge get for Melbourne Demons
Hawkins’ purchase of the property back in 2016 started a trend of Geelong players moving to farm life. Former Cats teammates Jeremy Cameron and Rhys Stanley followed suit and bought acreage as well.
Hawkins joined Nutrien Ag Solutions livestock team after retiring last year, and has also been working on Fox Footy as part of their commentary team. It means he’s been driving over an hour from Geelong to Melbourne for work this year.
The 37-year-old kicked 796 career goals and won the Coleman Medal as the league’s leading goal-kicker in 2020. He won premierships with the Cats in 2009, 2011 and 2022, and would be a handy pick-up for the Demons if he decides to join King’s staff.
AFL fans pay tribute to Cameron Guthrie
On Monday, fans pointed out on social media that King might also make a play for Guthrie after his exit from Geelong was confirmed. The 33-year-old won two best and fairest awards with the Cats and was an All-Australian in 2020, with fans paying tribute to the popular player.