Geelong are confident that big man Tom Hawkins will return to his best next AFL season, unhindered by his persistent back problems.
A bulging disc restricted the 25-year-old’s contribution to the Cats’ 2013 campaign, which ended at the hands of champions Hawthorn in the preliminary final.
Hawkins was a starter at Simonds Stadium as Geelong’s full list returned to the track on Monday and he looked to be moving freely.
Injury-prone ruckman Hamish McIntosh also appeared in good shape.
McIntosh, who hasn’t played since early 2012, has only managed eight matches in the past three years due to a mixture of knee and ankle issues which have required surgery.
Coach Chris Scott was confident that Hawkins could regain the form that earned him the club’s best and fairest award in 2012.
“As of day one of pre-season for him, he is coming in un-injured and un-managed,” Scott said.
“His training program is just the same as the other players in his category,” he said.
“I hope it’s something that we don’t have to keep talking about, because obviously it affected his football, but it is not a debilitating issue.
“Everyone is really confident he can move past it and get back to his best footy next year.”
Scott said Hawkins, who still managed 49 goals from 22 games in 2013, had treatment in the off-season but didn’t require surgery.
Ruckman Dawson Simpson was also back into training although restricted as he recovers after medial ligament damage and dislocating the kneecap in his left leg.
Scott said he expected Simpson and defender Corey Enright (knee) to resume full training around Christmas.
Only three players, Daniel Menzel (knee), Shane Kersten (knee) and Jackson Thurlow (hip), didn’t make it onto the track on Monday.
Former steeplechaser Mark Blicavs won the club’s time trial, with skipper Joel Selwood and Steve Johnson the other standouts.
The Cats will travel to Coffs Harbour for a nine-day training camp next week.