Geelong star forward Tom Hawkins’ rebound from a horrific head knock to be a six-goal AFL hero a week later shows the unpredictable nature of the effects of concussion, says his coach Chris Scott.

The AFL have had to resist calls this season for players to be given a mandatory game off if they have sustained a concussion in the previous round.

But while Hawkins looked in severe trouble when he was stretchered off after his head crashed into the ground in a marking contest in the first term against West Coast last Friday night, Scott said he seemed to have completely recovered within hours.

Hawkins passed concussion tests during the week and the Cats’ assessment was validated when he dominated throughout to be best afield in Geelong’s 18.15 (123) to 11.15 (81) win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

“He was fresh,” Scott said.

“It was a weird one because it just looked a horrific situation when his head hit the ground.

“He didn’t move, face down in the ground, it was really disturbing.

“But strangely, as often happens with concussion, no two are the same, it can be quite weird.

“At halftime (against West Coast) he seemed to have no ill effects at all.”

Scott said the only adverse effect Hawkins experienced at any stage throughout the week was that he could not remember the incident.

“We couldn’t find any reason at all for him not to play and we did look long and hard,” Scott said.

“I think the way he played was an indication that he was feeling pretty good.”

Scott said the Cats generally were in good physical shape as finals neared and were very hopeful of regaining Travis Varcoe before the season ended, with the speedster yet to play this year because of a foot injury.

Joel Corey was subbed off against the Saints after returning from a hamstring strain, but Scott said that was a workload management decision and there was no injury concern.