Geelong's All Australian captain Tom Hawkins is likely to miss the start of the next AFL season after being sent for foot surgery.
Hawkins carried the injury through Geelong's finals campaign, which culminated in an 81-point belting of Sydney in the grand final.
The Cats expect the 34-year-old, who has signed a one-year contract to extend his decorated career, to be available early next season.
"Our medical team and Tom have gone through an extensive process which has included consultation with specialists to determine the best approach and have come to the decision for Tom to undergo surgery this week," Geelong's football manager Simon Lloyd said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Tom is incredibly meticulous in his training and preparation, and we know he'll have the same application to his recovery.
"We will take the time and diligence required to have him return to playing in early 2023."
Hawkins' pre-season training timeline would be confirmed after the initial stages of his recovery from surgery, Lloyd said.
