Hawkins tips Cameron partnership to reach new heights

Geelong veteran Tom Hawkins has delivered a stark warning to AFL defenders, declaring the best is yet to come from his formidable attacking partnership with Jeremy Cameron.

The pair have caused rival backmen all sorts of grief since Cameron's high-profile switch from GWS at the end of 2020, and spearheaded the Cats to last year's premiership.

They will line up alongside each other in the hoops for the 46th time when Geelong take on Essendon at the MCG on Sunday.

"The more time you can spend together the more you'll work out those little intricacies of the way they play and certain positions on the ground that they do what they do," Hawkins said.

"What makes (Cameron) so unique is he sees the game so differently. He's almost a step or two ahead.

"His vision around the ground and then inside forward-50 is something that I haven't really played with, particularly in a big man.

"We're always building chemistry with players and I'm just really enjoying playing with him."

Cameron has been the Cats' most consistent performer this season, kicking 27 goals from six games to put himself in Brownlow Medal contention.

The 30-year-old's hot start has sparked hopes he could become the first player since Lance Franklin in 2008 to kick 100-plus goals in a season.

"He's always been a wonderful player but what he's been able to produce has really carried us along the way for the most part of season 2023," Hawkins said.

Hawkins entered the season under a fitness cloud after foot surgery in October and has gradually built his form.

The 34-year-old kicked two, four and five goals in the thumpings of Hawthorn, West Coast and Sydney that squared the Cats' season ledger after a horror start to their premiership defence.

"I'll maintain I've been 100 per cent for the first six rounds of the year and, like I do every year, continue to try to build and have continuity in what I'm trying to put out there each week," Hawkins said.

"I'll keep looking to improve, just like the team."

Essendon have lost defender Jayden Laverde (shoulder) as Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Jordan Ridley and swingman Kyle Landford line up to take on Hawkins and Cameron.

Dyson Heppell has been rested but captain Zach Merrett is back from suspension to bolster the Bombers' midfield after missing his side's Anzac Day near miss against Collingwood.

Massimo D'Ambrosio and fan-favourite Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti have also been recalled.

Sunday's fixture looms as a tougher challenge than the Cats have faced in recent weeks.

"By no means do we sit and rest on our laurels," Hawkins said.

"From here, there's plenty of hard work still to be done and the competition is as even as it ever has been.

"(We) look forward to the challenge on the weekend playing a side that was terrific (on Anzac Day)."

Geelong have recalled Jed Bews in place of injured midfielder Cam Guthrie (toe).