SIMPSON football fans will be out in force today to honour a club stalwart. Article first appeared: 08 September 2007 Herald Sun
Time to go: Neil Hawkins.
Neil Hawkins is expected to hang up his boots at the end of this season after playing more than 400 games.
Simpson reserves play Forrest today in the first semi-final of the Colac and District League.
A win guarantees the Tigers a place in next week's preliminary final. A loss is likely to see Hawkins leave the club he has called home for more than 25 years.
"I'm 99 per cent sure this will be my last year playing," Hawkins said yesterday. "I'll be 43 in April next year and I've always said if I don't train I won't play.
"There seems to be enough numbers around here at the moment for things to keep going all right if I leave.
"The netball is strong, the junior footy is strong, it's just the seniors we need to fix."
Hawkins grew up in the Colac region and started his junior football with Simpson.
The bustling centre half-forward left Simpson from 1984-86 to play with Russells Creek and South Warrnambool in the Hampden League.
Hawkins returned to his home club 20 years ago and has held coaching positions with the junior, reserve and senior sides.
He has won best-and-fairest medals with the club and four premierships, but his strongest memory is playing alongside his mates.
"Playing with mates who I started with in the juniors a long time ago," Hawkins said when asked what the highlight has been.
"We're all still living in the area and are good mates, so that has probably been the best part of playing with Simpson."