Shannon Neale has revealed he tried to avoid conversations about the return of Tom Hawkins as Geelong entered their 2024 finals campaign.
Neale headed into the finals series in consistent form, booting seven goals from his last five appearances. It held his position in the side in good stead, but the looming presence of a recovering Hawkins created a selection headache for the Cats.
Do they keep their young rising forward in the side or replace him with their soon-to-be-retired star veteran, who has the potential to recapture his form of old for one last finals series?
Neale said it was a concern he decided to avoid thinking about, understanding that although his form warranted selection, the fairytale ending for Hawkins was equally as tantalising.
"It was something I tried to stay clear of," Neale said.
"As much as he is a friend of mine, I was up for the challenge to try keep my spot in the side.
"I understood the situation we were in with going to finals and what could've been... his last finals series. I just wanted to hold my own.
"In a way, it was hard because I wanted to play, I felt I was in a strong position with my game individually but I understood the situation that the player he is, he's kicked nearly 800 goals in his career, the experience he had so if I was the one that made way for him then that was going to be the case.
"It was whatever was best for the team, without sounding like a pushover. I also wanted to be in that side but again naturally I understood the position I was in.
"I tried not to listen to too much media and just stay within the four walls and what the coaches were telling me, what my teammates were giving me as well, I was just trying to stay grounded, stay in the present and whatever came next is what came.
"It was tough but I was up for the challenge with that."
Neale, who was ultimately selected ahead of Hawkins, became close with the superstar premiership Cat, with Hawkins mentoring Neale throughout his remaining time at Kardinia Park.
While trying not to bother Hawkins much on a "well-earned" holiday, Neale said he is keen to stay in touch with the club legend.
"We do stay in touch, he's always been great for me and there's no doubt I'll reach out to him when I see fit," Neale said.
The 22-year-old is pushing for another year of consistent selection after featuring in 15 games in 2024, vying for a role alongside Jeremy Cameron.
"(I'm) continually trying to challenge myself," Nealse said.
"I think a strength of mine is my endurance and my running ability but still trying to challenge myself in those areas. I'm a big believer in working on your 'RFIs' (room for improvement) but also keep working on your strengths to keep those as strengths.
"Working on my contested marking against a range of different guys like 'Blitz' (Mark Blicavs) and Jack (Henry), 'Stewie' (Tom Stewart) as well, and Connor O'Sullivan, we've been going hard at it as well.
"I'm trying to be diverse in who I'm versing, everyone brings different strengths so just trying to learn off guys around me and try take that it into this year, and hopefully that holds me in good stead for the year.
With the addition of Bailey Smith and Jack Martin through the trade period, Neale is excited to learn from Geelong's new faces.
"The additions of 'Baz' and Jack have been great," Neale said.
"'Baz' works extremely hard and he's a natural leader as well.
"I'm learning a lot off him, he's playing up the ground as I'm a forward and him delivering it inside 50 is great to learn off as well as what he sees and what I can do better for him.
"Everyone's been really great with the additions and the young guys coming through."
Geelong host a scratch match against Hawthorn on February 17, before their official practice match against the Bombers takes place eight days later.
The Cats will then gear up for their Opening Round game against Brisbane at the Gabba to begin the AFL home and away season.