Chris Scott believes Tom Hawkins is still improving as a player as the veteran spearhead leads the line in Geelong's AFL premiership push.
Hawkins kicked his 700th career goal during the Cats' win over West Coast last week and sits third in the Coleman Medal tally this season with 36 majors.
The 33-year-old has played 315 games since his debut in 2007 but is showing no signs of slowing down.
"I think his capacity to adjust with the way the game's shifted is something that's taken a few by surprise," Geelong coach Scott told Fox Footy.
"My observation watching him early in his career is he was a really big lump of a kid.
"He's a really talented sportsperson, not just a footballer. If you watch him swing a tennis racquet or a golf club, he's a technician, and he's always had that.
"But he's grown into his body and learnt how to use it over the years and now his craft is as good as any key forward going around.
"He doesn't rely on his physical attributes as much."
Hawkins (701) sits third on Geelong's all-time leading goal-kicker list behind club legends Gary Ablett (1021) and Doug Wade (834).
The modern champion, a two-time premiership star, has reached that point despite being renowned for his unselfish, team-first attitude.
"I don't think the 700 goals is in any way a fair reflection of what he's been," Scott said.
"The sum of his game is so much more than just goals."
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was part of Geelong's coaching staff when Hawkins arrived at Kardinia Park as a father-son recruit at the end of 2006.
Hinkley now uses Hawkins as an example for his young Power forwards as they hone their forward craft.
"If he's not the best forward craft player in the competition, I'm not sure who the other is," Hinkley told Fox Footy.
"I look at Tom and I say where's the finish line? I just don't know when it's going to be.
"I'm absolutely sure he's getting better and he drives me absolutely crazy every time we play Geelong.
"And not only that, then they go and get Jeremy Cameron to sit beside him, so good luck with that."
