Teammates of two AFL stars working through attacking dry spells have backed in their respective sharpshooters to return to form over the coming weeks.
A large focus has been placed on senior Geelong forward Tom Hawkins, who went without a goal in Saturday night's loss to Melbourne to end a game with zero majors for the fourth consecutive match - the first time in the 354-gamer's career.
Hawkins' current 2024 averages of 4.7 score involvements and 0.4 goal assists per game are also at a recorded low, with the 35-year-old keen to have a bigger impact amid another flag tilt for the Cats.
While knowing the premiership champion and soon-to-be record games holder would like to turn his form around, the Cats aren't questioning Hawkins' overall output as the 'selfless' tall forward who often looks for other options in the front half.
"'Hawk' is still contributing really well," teammate Zach Guthrie told media on Monday.
"He's someone who's been known to be selfless his whole career. He probably has the right to have a shot at times, but he always focuses on playing his footy and giving another guy the best opportunity to have a shot in the best position. That's kinda in his DNA.
"I'm sure the goals will start to come. I feel as though he could've had a few shots the other night and he was just willing to give it away. That's the guy I love playing with."
Hawkins sits fifth among the Cats' leading goalkickers this year, with 600-goal superstar Jeremy Cameron - who went goalless for the second time in three weeks over the weekend - in front with 19 goals.
Second-year Cat Ollie Henry has contributed to the goalkickers list in all of his eight games this year for a return of 18 goals, while Tyson Stengle and Brad Close have each kicked at least 10.
GWS captain Toby Greene is going through a similar run to Hawkins to start the season, having booted goals in just four of his seven appearances so far for a total of nine majors.
Greene has gone without a goal in his past two matches, however sits equal second in the competition for goal assists as fellow small forwards Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford take on a greater workload.
The All-Australian captain's deputy, Josh Kelly, knows his skipper doesn't need to have "20 touches and kick four" to have an impact for his side.
"He's still going pretty good," Kelly said.
"When you have a player like Toby Greene, you have such high expectations. You want to see him perform, you want to see him have 20 and kick four every week. That's not always reality.
"Our forward line for most of the year has been playing really strongly. Sometimes Toby is getting on the end of them and sometimes it's other players.
"He's still playing his role to a high level and his leadership is still at a high level. I think Toby is doing alright, his impact extends far greater than having the 20 touches and kicking four goals."
Greene could fill his boots this weekend when the Giants head to Marvel Stadium to face Essendon, who rank among the bottom six clubs for defence. Greene has booted 18 goals across his 11 career matches against the Bombers.
