Geelong veteran Tom Hawkins has conceded he's currently "not in great touch" but predicts his form will turn, with the Cats forward focussing on impact over goals when it comes to his output.
For the first time in the 35-year-old's career, Hawkins has gone four straight matches without a major, while his score involvement figures have also taken a hit despite Geelong's 7-1 start to the year.
Hawkins's last goal came on Easter Monday against Hawthorn when he and Oliver Henry combined for eight goals in a convincing win over their close rivals.
The Cats have backed in their triple premiership forward to continue in his role as an attacking menace for defenders through his sharpshooting and link-up play.
As for Hawkins, the five-time All-Australian is looking at how he can have the biggest impact each weekend while looking to overcome his form "speed hump".
"I'm well aware I'm not in great touch at the moment, but I still feel like I'm playing a significant role in the team," Hawkins told media on Tuesday.
"Our motto, as a list and a 23 who play each week, and specifically as a forward line, is that we've got so many avenues towards goal.
"Each week is going to look slightly different in terms of pure goalscoring. Yes, I would like to be a bit more influential in the games, this is just a small speed hump. I'll manage my way through it and no doubt be fine.
"For me, it's about how I can best influence the game and help my teammates, so that'll be my sole focus going into this game. I've always thought I add more than just my ability to kick goals."
Friday night's game against Port Adelaide will see Hawkins tie ex-teammate and close friend Joel Selwood's game record at Geelong with his 355th appearance in the hoops.
Hawkins is in line to surpass this former captain when the Cats make the trip to Darwin in Round 10 to face the Gold Coast Suns, while the club could look to manage their veteran forward and have him bring up the milestone at Kardinia Park instead.
Geelong will come to a decision next week, with Hawkins and coaches in "ongoing" discussions around how he's managed through season 18.
"I've had conversations, and they're ongoing, about how to best manage me as a player," the Finley product said.
"I'm 36 in July, there's always an element of needing management and have things put in place to have me be at my best for as long as I can.
"They're ongoing discussions, nothing is certainly locked in, but we'll continue to have those conversations."
Hawkins is one of several senior Geelong players who don't have their future secured beyond the 2024 season, with captain Patrick Dangerfield also among the batch of off-contract Cats.
Dangerfield's name was surprisingly linked to his former club Adelaide, who are said to be keen on potentially luring the Brownlow Medal winner back to West Lakes nine years on from his request to join Geelong.
Hawkins suggested it'd be an unlikely venture for the Geelong midfielder.
"Yeah I heard that, I texted him last night with no response," Hawkins said of the report.
"He made it pretty clear he was keen to come back to Geelong (in 2015), but who knows? That's up for Pat to work through."
The Cats host Port Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium on Friday at 7:10 pm (AEST).
