Giants dealt massive injury blow to key player
Greater Western Sydney have suffered a massive blow with gun defender Sam Taylor facing over a month on the sidelines.
7NEWS reporter Xander McGuire revealed the All-Australian suffered a broken toe during last week's win over Brisbane.
Taylor was able to play out the match, but is now expected to miss the next up to five weeks.
'A huge blow for GWS with All-Australian full-back Sam Taylor out for 4-5 weeks with a broken toe,' McGuire tweeted.
'He sustained the injury against Brisbane but played through the pain. He'll spend the next 2-3 weeks in a moon boot.'
If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
The blow comes just as the Giants recaptured their best form with the win over the Lions, which came after a shock loss to Port Adelaide in Canberra.
But now they will be without Taylor for matches against Gold Coast, West Coast, Geelong and Essendon over the next month.
Brent Daniels is also facing another stint on the sidelines after suffering an adductor tendon injury against the Lions.
The small forward, who has only managed six games, will undergo scans to determine his rehabilitation period.
Meanwhile, youngster Aaron Cadman knows his apprenticeship is over and feels he's ready to explode in the back half of the AFL season.
The 2022 No.1 draft pick lived up to his billing after his career-best haul of five goals and 13 marks helped steer the Giants to a comeback win over Brisbane.
His breakout performance - which included a speccy mark against Lions swingman Eric Hipwood - added to reigning Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan's haul of six goals and 12 marks.
The 21-year-old's slow burn to good form echoes the words of inaugural Giants coach Kevin Sheedy, who believes players only come of age at AFL level when they reach 50 games.
Set to chalk up the milestone against Gold Coast, Cadman agrees there is truth in Sheedy's declaration.
'I know that I can be, hopefully, one of the top players in the league,' Cadman said on Tuesday.
'This is my third year, so I've still got a lot of growing to do as a player, physically and mentally.
'I know they're saying your apprenticeship is over at 50 games once you're past 50, but I feel like I've still got a lot of room to grow.
'Obviously, big thanks to the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity in 50 games.
'Even picking me 50 times where I probably wouldn't have picked myself, and just having faith in me and knowing what I am capable of.' Aaron Cadman soars above Brisbane's Eric Hipwood to take one of 13 marks for the Giants. Credit: AAP
Cadman has long been touted as the man to lead the GWS forward line for years to come, after the Giants traded up to secure the top selection in the 2022 draft.
The left-footer managed just six goals from a dozen appearances in his 2023 debut season, before hitting new heights last year with 30 goals across 23 games.
GWS's faith is clear, but Cadman admitted it took time for him to shake off the expectations that come with being a top draft selection.
'I feel like in my first two years, that was something that weighed on me a little bit,' Cadman said.
'Now I know what I am capable of, and just continuing to show that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter where I was picked. '
Cadman credits Hogan as the man who has helped make him ready for what looms at AFL level.
A 17-year-old Hogan has faced similar expectations after being drafted to Melbourne with pick No.2 in the 2012 mini-draft.
'Me and Jesse can relate to each other a little bit,' Cadman said.
'Even on and off the field, just sharing his mistakes and helping me learn from those things has been super helpful for me.
'It's a great relationship we have down there. It's almost like half the time, we don't even have to say anything.'
- With AAP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Contrasting shocks for Australians at Queens
Alex de Minaur has crashed out of Queen's at the first hurdle in a serious blow for the Australian No.1 with Wimbledon looming. But there was a much better outing for Alexei Popyrin, who has the tools and form to spring a surprise at the London grand slam, and enjoyed a very useful work-out in beating compatriot Aleksandar Vukic in three tight sets. There was also a shock main court appearance for Adam Walton, who was suddenly called up to face world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz as a lucky loser. That was because Alejandro Davidovich Fokina - who had come to England after getting married in Marbella, Spain, at the weekend - had withdrawn with illness. Alcaraz had been practising with another Aussie, Jordan Thompson, when he was given the news, which he greeted with a grin towards Thompson.. Walton, ranked 86, was making his main draw Queen's debut. Thompson will meet the winner if he gets past Spain's Jaume Munar in his match on Tuesday (local time) De Minaur was playing his first match on grass this year, and his first on any surface since tumbling out of Roland Garros in the first week. He had taken a break to reset, professing mental and physical burn-out, but looked flat on court as he lost 6-4 6-2 to powerful world No.30 Jiri Lehecka. De Minaur was broken in the opening game, and never managed to break back in the first set as Lehecka served up to 226kph. He was unable to break in the second set either, dropping serve himself at 1-1, in part due to an unlucky netcord, and 2-4. Forehand errors and a poor first serve were de Minaur's main failings, though Lehecka played well too. "We all know how well Alex can play on grass, I knew I needed to serve well and be aggressive," said the Czech. "The first game was very important, to be a break up was a great advantage." It was the first time Lehecka had beaten a top-12 ranked player on grass. Popyrin, now ranked 21, took the first set against Vukic easily enough but was then drawn into a dogfight which will prove useful for both players, eventually winning 6-2 6-7 (9-11) 7-6 (7-3). Popyrin will now play Jack Draper, the British No.1 and No.2 seed, who dismissed Jenson Brooksby 6-3 6-1. Alex de Minaur has crashed out of Queen's at the first hurdle in a serious blow for the Australian No.1 with Wimbledon looming. But there was a much better outing for Alexei Popyrin, who has the tools and form to spring a surprise at the London grand slam, and enjoyed a very useful work-out in beating compatriot Aleksandar Vukic in three tight sets. There was also a shock main court appearance for Adam Walton, who was suddenly called up to face world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz as a lucky loser. That was because Alejandro Davidovich Fokina - who had come to England after getting married in Marbella, Spain, at the weekend - had withdrawn with illness. Alcaraz had been practising with another Aussie, Jordan Thompson, when he was given the news, which he greeted with a grin towards Thompson.. Walton, ranked 86, was making his main draw Queen's debut. Thompson will meet the winner if he gets past Spain's Jaume Munar in his match on Tuesday (local time) De Minaur was playing his first match on grass this year, and his first on any surface since tumbling out of Roland Garros in the first week. He had taken a break to reset, professing mental and physical burn-out, but looked flat on court as he lost 6-4 6-2 to powerful world No.30 Jiri Lehecka. De Minaur was broken in the opening game, and never managed to break back in the first set as Lehecka served up to 226kph. He was unable to break in the second set either, dropping serve himself at 1-1, in part due to an unlucky netcord, and 2-4. Forehand errors and a poor first serve were de Minaur's main failings, though Lehecka played well too. "We all know how well Alex can play on grass, I knew I needed to serve well and be aggressive," said the Czech. "The first game was very important, to be a break up was a great advantage." It was the first time Lehecka had beaten a top-12 ranked player on grass. Popyrin, now ranked 21, took the first set against Vukic easily enough but was then drawn into a dogfight which will prove useful for both players, eventually winning 6-2 6-7 (9-11) 7-6 (7-3). Popyrin will now play Jack Draper, the British No.1 and No.2 seed, who dismissed Jenson Brooksby 6-3 6-1. Alex de Minaur has crashed out of Queen's at the first hurdle in a serious blow for the Australian No.1 with Wimbledon looming. But there was a much better outing for Alexei Popyrin, who has the tools and form to spring a surprise at the London grand slam, and enjoyed a very useful work-out in beating compatriot Aleksandar Vukic in three tight sets. There was also a shock main court appearance for Adam Walton, who was suddenly called up to face world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz as a lucky loser. That was because Alejandro Davidovich Fokina - who had come to England after getting married in Marbella, Spain, at the weekend - had withdrawn with illness. Alcaraz had been practising with another Aussie, Jordan Thompson, when he was given the news, which he greeted with a grin towards Thompson.. Walton, ranked 86, was making his main draw Queen's debut. Thompson will meet the winner if he gets past Spain's Jaume Munar in his match on Tuesday (local time) De Minaur was playing his first match on grass this year, and his first on any surface since tumbling out of Roland Garros in the first week. He had taken a break to reset, professing mental and physical burn-out, but looked flat on court as he lost 6-4 6-2 to powerful world No.30 Jiri Lehecka. De Minaur was broken in the opening game, and never managed to break back in the first set as Lehecka served up to 226kph. He was unable to break in the second set either, dropping serve himself at 1-1, in part due to an unlucky netcord, and 2-4. Forehand errors and a poor first serve were de Minaur's main failings, though Lehecka played well too. "We all know how well Alex can play on grass, I knew I needed to serve well and be aggressive," said the Czech. "The first game was very important, to be a break up was a great advantage." It was the first time Lehecka had beaten a top-12 ranked player on grass. Popyrin, now ranked 21, took the first set against Vukic easily enough but was then drawn into a dogfight which will prove useful for both players, eventually winning 6-2 6-7 (9-11) 7-6 (7-3). Popyrin will now play Jack Draper, the British No.1 and No.2 seed, who dismissed Jenson Brooksby 6-3 6-1. Alex de Minaur has crashed out of Queen's at the first hurdle in a serious blow for the Australian No.1 with Wimbledon looming. But there was a much better outing for Alexei Popyrin, who has the tools and form to spring a surprise at the London grand slam, and enjoyed a very useful work-out in beating compatriot Aleksandar Vukic in three tight sets. There was also a shock main court appearance for Adam Walton, who was suddenly called up to face world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz as a lucky loser. That was because Alejandro Davidovich Fokina - who had come to England after getting married in Marbella, Spain, at the weekend - had withdrawn with illness. Alcaraz had been practising with another Aussie, Jordan Thompson, when he was given the news, which he greeted with a grin towards Thompson.. Walton, ranked 86, was making his main draw Queen's debut. Thompson will meet the winner if he gets past Spain's Jaume Munar in his match on Tuesday (local time) De Minaur was playing his first match on grass this year, and his first on any surface since tumbling out of Roland Garros in the first week. He had taken a break to reset, professing mental and physical burn-out, but looked flat on court as he lost 6-4 6-2 to powerful world No.30 Jiri Lehecka. De Minaur was broken in the opening game, and never managed to break back in the first set as Lehecka served up to 226kph. He was unable to break in the second set either, dropping serve himself at 1-1, in part due to an unlucky netcord, and 2-4. Forehand errors and a poor first serve were de Minaur's main failings, though Lehecka played well too. "We all know how well Alex can play on grass, I knew I needed to serve well and be aggressive," said the Czech. "The first game was very important, to be a break up was a great advantage." It was the first time Lehecka had beaten a top-12 ranked player on grass. Popyrin, now ranked 21, took the first set against Vukic easily enough but was then drawn into a dogfight which will prove useful for both players, eventually winning 6-2 6-7 (9-11) 7-6 (7-3). Popyrin will now play Jack Draper, the British No.1 and No.2 seed, who dismissed Jenson Brooksby 6-3 6-1.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Contrasting shocks for Australians at Queens
Alex de Minaur has crashed out of Queen's at the first hurdle in a serious blow for the Australian No.1 with Wimbledon looming. But there was a much better outing for Alexei Popyrin, who has the tools and form to spring a surprise at the London grand slam, and enjoyed a very useful work-out in beating compatriot Aleksandar Vukic in three tight sets. There was also a shock main court appearance for Adam Walton, who was suddenly called up to face world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz as a lucky loser. That was because Alejandro Davidovich Fokina - who had come to England after getting married in Marbella, Spain, at the weekend - had withdrawn with illness. Alcaraz had been practising with another Aussie, Jordan Thompson, when he was given the news, which he greeted with a grin towards Thompson.. Walton, ranked 86, was making his main draw Queen's debut. Thompson will meet the winner if he gets past Spain's Jaume Munar in his match on Tuesday (local time) De Minaur was playing his first match on grass this year, and his first on any surface since tumbling out of Roland Garros in the first week. He had taken a break to reset, professing mental and physical burn-out, but looked flat on court as he lost 6-4 6-2 to powerful world No.30 Jiri Lehecka. De Minaur was broken in the opening game, and never managed to break back in the first set as Lehecka served up to 226kph. He was unable to break in the second set either, dropping serve himself at 1-1, in part due to an unlucky netcord, and 2-4. Forehand errors and a poor first serve were de Minaur's main failings, though Lehecka played well too. "We all know how well Alex can play on grass, I knew I needed to serve well and be aggressive," said the Czech. "The first game was very important, to be a break up was a great advantage." It was the first time Lehecka had beaten a top-12 ranked player on grass. Popyrin, now ranked 21, took the first set against Vukic easily enough but was then drawn into a dogfight which will prove useful for both players, eventually winning 6-2 6-7 (9-11) 7-6 (7-3). Popyrin will now play Jack Draper, the British No.1 and No.2 seed, who dismissed Jenson Brooksby 6-3 6-1.
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
He began as a starry eyed teenager at Arnold's Swim Centre, now Charlie Hawke is going for gold
IT was the first thing Charlie Hawke would see when he bounced through the doors at Arnold Swim for training each morning. Just past the old entrance was a framed picture of Thomas Fraser-Holmes in his Australian Dolphins team uniform. It featured on a wall of fame at the iconic Junction swimming centre and home of Hunter Swim Club, which Hawke joined when he was 13. Now, 22, Hawke has earned his own slice of history after being named in the Australian Dolphins team to contest the World Championships in Singapore, starting July 27. Like Fraser-Holmes, Hawke is a part of the 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay squad. He qualified after finishing fourth in the final at the national selection trials in Adelaide last week, clocking a personal best of 1:46.10. "It was a massive relief," Hawke said of his selection. "I have been very close in the past couple of years. I didn't know for sure that I was in the team until the last night of competition. It is up to the selectors' discretion. To finally get it done was a big feeling of relief." Hawke, who has been in an Australian A team before, has spent the past four years at the University of Alabama, but competes for Hunter Swim Club. "It is nice to represent my home town," Hawke said. "I grew up in Kurri Kurri, which was my first swim club. I moved to Arnolds when I was about 13 and started taking swimming more seriously. I trained under Shane Arnold and coach Kerry [Saunders]. I learned a lot there and formed good habits." Fraser-Holmes was a part of the Australian 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay teams that won gold at the World Championships in South Korea in 2019 and brone in Russia four years earlier. A two-time Olympian, he also boastes five Commonwealth Games medals, including gold in the 4 x 200m relay in Delhi (2010) and Glasgow (2014). Now 33, Fraser-Holmes is a coach at Griffith University Swim Club on the Gold Coast. "Tommy was definitely an idol of mine growing up and is a great friend to have now," Hawke said. "I've has many chats with Tommy on the pool deck. "He is a great mentor to have and has been fantastic over the past couople of years. I was just off the team and he was great to chat to. Talk through that process. He is a really good connection to have." Hawke is joined in the relay team by the top three from the trials Ed Sommerville, Sam Short, and Flynn Southam and Max Giuliani and Elijah Wittingham. Sommerville and Short will contest in the individual 200m freestyle in Singapore. The four fastest swimmers from the six will compete in the relay final. "The aim is to post a fast enough time in the preliminaries to get into the fastest four for the final," Hawke said. "The ultimate goal is to win gold. We are not going into the competition to accept a bronze. A podium finish is the goal and hopefully move up the podium." Hawke is in Brisbane for a three-week training block alongside Short at Rackley Swim Club, before heading to Darwin for a Dolphins pre-championship camp. "We have six weeks before we race," Hawke said. "That is enough time to get some good work in again before a short rest." Hawke in April graduated from the University of Alabama with a double degree in Electrical Engineering and Physics. "Going over to the States was fantastic. The big selling point on that was being able to incorporate my studies and swimming," he said. "The connections I made, friends from all over the world. I learnt so much from them about swimming and about life in general." Hawke spent time back in Newcastle in the lead-up to the national selections trials. "It was nice to catch up with mum and dad and my sister Isabella," he said. "My parents came over to the States about once a year. It is always special when they get to watch me swim." IT was the first thing Charlie Hawke would see when he bounced through the doors at Arnold Swim for training each morning. Just past the old entrance was a framed picture of Thomas Fraser-Holmes in his Australian Dolphins team uniform. It featured on a wall of fame at the iconic Junction swimming centre and home of Hunter Swim Club, which Hawke joined when he was 13. Now, 22, Hawke has earned his own slice of history after being named in the Australian Dolphins team to contest the World Championships in Singapore, starting July 27. Like Fraser-Holmes, Hawke is a part of the 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay squad. He qualified after finishing fourth in the final at the national selection trials in Adelaide last week, clocking a personal best of 1:46.10. "It was a massive relief," Hawke said of his selection. "I have been very close in the past couple of years. I didn't know for sure that I was in the team until the last night of competition. It is up to the selectors' discretion. To finally get it done was a big feeling of relief." Hawke, who has been in an Australian A team before, has spent the past four years at the University of Alabama, but competes for Hunter Swim Club. "It is nice to represent my home town," Hawke said. "I grew up in Kurri Kurri, which was my first swim club. I moved to Arnolds when I was about 13 and started taking swimming more seriously. I trained under Shane Arnold and coach Kerry [Saunders]. I learned a lot there and formed good habits." Fraser-Holmes was a part of the Australian 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay teams that won gold at the World Championships in South Korea in 2019 and brone in Russia four years earlier. A two-time Olympian, he also boastes five Commonwealth Games medals, including gold in the 4 x 200m relay in Delhi (2010) and Glasgow (2014). Now 33, Fraser-Holmes is a coach at Griffith University Swim Club on the Gold Coast. "Tommy was definitely an idol of mine growing up and is a great friend to have now," Hawke said. "I've has many chats with Tommy on the pool deck. "He is a great mentor to have and has been fantastic over the past couople of years. I was just off the team and he was great to chat to. Talk through that process. He is a really good connection to have." Hawke is joined in the relay team by the top three from the trials Ed Sommerville, Sam Short, and Flynn Southam and Max Giuliani and Elijah Wittingham. Sommerville and Short will contest in the individual 200m freestyle in Singapore. The four fastest swimmers from the six will compete in the relay final. "The aim is to post a fast enough time in the preliminaries to get into the fastest four for the final," Hawke said. "The ultimate goal is to win gold. We are not going into the competition to accept a bronze. A podium finish is the goal and hopefully move up the podium." Hawke is in Brisbane for a three-week training block alongside Short at Rackley Swim Club, before heading to Darwin for a Dolphins pre-championship camp. "We have six weeks before we race," Hawke said. "That is enough time to get some good work in again before a short rest." Hawke in April graduated from the University of Alabama with a double degree in Electrical Engineering and Physics. "Going over to the States was fantastic. The big selling point on that was being able to incorporate my studies and swimming," he said. "The connections I made, friends from all over the world. I learnt so much from them about swimming and about life in general." Hawke spent time back in Newcastle in the lead-up to the national selections trials. "It was nice to catch up with mum and dad and my sister Isabella," he said. "My parents came over to the States about once a year. It is always special when they get to watch me swim." IT was the first thing Charlie Hawke would see when he bounced through the doors at Arnold Swim for training each morning. Just past the old entrance was a framed picture of Thomas Fraser-Holmes in his Australian Dolphins team uniform. It featured on a wall of fame at the iconic Junction swimming centre and home of Hunter Swim Club, which Hawke joined when he was 13. Now, 22, Hawke has earned his own slice of history after being named in the Australian Dolphins team to contest the World Championships in Singapore, starting July 27. Like Fraser-Holmes, Hawke is a part of the 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay squad. He qualified after finishing fourth in the final at the national selection trials in Adelaide last week, clocking a personal best of 1:46.10. "It was a massive relief," Hawke said of his selection. "I have been very close in the past couple of years. I didn't know for sure that I was in the team until the last night of competition. It is up to the selectors' discretion. To finally get it done was a big feeling of relief." Hawke, who has been in an Australian A team before, has spent the past four years at the University of Alabama, but competes for Hunter Swim Club. "It is nice to represent my home town," Hawke said. "I grew up in Kurri Kurri, which was my first swim club. I moved to Arnolds when I was about 13 and started taking swimming more seriously. I trained under Shane Arnold and coach Kerry [Saunders]. I learned a lot there and formed good habits." Fraser-Holmes was a part of the Australian 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay teams that won gold at the World Championships in South Korea in 2019 and brone in Russia four years earlier. A two-time Olympian, he also boastes five Commonwealth Games medals, including gold in the 4 x 200m relay in Delhi (2010) and Glasgow (2014). Now 33, Fraser-Holmes is a coach at Griffith University Swim Club on the Gold Coast. "Tommy was definitely an idol of mine growing up and is a great friend to have now," Hawke said. "I've has many chats with Tommy on the pool deck. "He is a great mentor to have and has been fantastic over the past couople of years. I was just off the team and he was great to chat to. Talk through that process. He is a really good connection to have." Hawke is joined in the relay team by the top three from the trials Ed Sommerville, Sam Short, and Flynn Southam and Max Giuliani and Elijah Wittingham. Sommerville and Short will contest in the individual 200m freestyle in Singapore. The four fastest swimmers from the six will compete in the relay final. "The aim is to post a fast enough time in the preliminaries to get into the fastest four for the final," Hawke said. "The ultimate goal is to win gold. We are not going into the competition to accept a bronze. A podium finish is the goal and hopefully move up the podium." Hawke is in Brisbane for a three-week training block alongside Short at Rackley Swim Club, before heading to Darwin for a Dolphins pre-championship camp. "We have six weeks before we race," Hawke said. "That is enough time to get some good work in again before a short rest." Hawke in April graduated from the University of Alabama with a double degree in Electrical Engineering and Physics. "Going over to the States was fantastic. The big selling point on that was being able to incorporate my studies and swimming," he said. "The connections I made, friends from all over the world. I learnt so much from them about swimming and about life in general." Hawke spent time back in Newcastle in the lead-up to the national selections trials. "It was nice to catch up with mum and dad and my sister Isabella," he said. "My parents came over to the States about once a year. It is always special when they get to watch me swim." IT was the first thing Charlie Hawke would see when he bounced through the doors at Arnold Swim for training each morning. Just past the old entrance was a framed picture of Thomas Fraser-Holmes in his Australian Dolphins team uniform. It featured on a wall of fame at the iconic Junction swimming centre and home of Hunter Swim Club, which Hawke joined when he was 13. Now, 22, Hawke has earned his own slice of history after being named in the Australian Dolphins team to contest the World Championships in Singapore, starting July 27. Like Fraser-Holmes, Hawke is a part of the 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay squad. He qualified after finishing fourth in the final at the national selection trials in Adelaide last week, clocking a personal best of 1:46.10. "It was a massive relief," Hawke said of his selection. "I have been very close in the past couple of years. I didn't know for sure that I was in the team until the last night of competition. It is up to the selectors' discretion. To finally get it done was a big feeling of relief." Hawke, who has been in an Australian A team before, has spent the past four years at the University of Alabama, but competes for Hunter Swim Club. "It is nice to represent my home town," Hawke said. "I grew up in Kurri Kurri, which was my first swim club. I moved to Arnolds when I was about 13 and started taking swimming more seriously. I trained under Shane Arnold and coach Kerry [Saunders]. I learned a lot there and formed good habits." Fraser-Holmes was a part of the Australian 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay teams that won gold at the World Championships in South Korea in 2019 and brone in Russia four years earlier. A two-time Olympian, he also boastes five Commonwealth Games medals, including gold in the 4 x 200m relay in Delhi (2010) and Glasgow (2014). Now 33, Fraser-Holmes is a coach at Griffith University Swim Club on the Gold Coast. "Tommy was definitely an idol of mine growing up and is a great friend to have now," Hawke said. "I've has many chats with Tommy on the pool deck. "He is a great mentor to have and has been fantastic over the past couople of years. I was just off the team and he was great to chat to. Talk through that process. He is a really good connection to have." Hawke is joined in the relay team by the top three from the trials Ed Sommerville, Sam Short, and Flynn Southam and Max Giuliani and Elijah Wittingham. Sommerville and Short will contest in the individual 200m freestyle in Singapore. The four fastest swimmers from the six will compete in the relay final. "The aim is to post a fast enough time in the preliminaries to get into the fastest four for the final," Hawke said. "The ultimate goal is to win gold. We are not going into the competition to accept a bronze. A podium finish is the goal and hopefully move up the podium." Hawke is in Brisbane for a three-week training block alongside Short at Rackley Swim Club, before heading to Darwin for a Dolphins pre-championship camp. "We have six weeks before we race," Hawke said. "That is enough time to get some good work in again before a short rest." Hawke in April graduated from the University of Alabama with a double degree in Electrical Engineering and Physics. "Going over to the States was fantastic. The big selling point on that was being able to incorporate my studies and swimming," he said. "The connections I made, friends from all over the world. I learnt so much from them about swimming and about life in general." Hawke spent time back in Newcastle in the lead-up to the national selections trials. "It was nice to catch up with mum and dad and my sister Isabella," he said. "My parents came over to the States about once a year. It is always special when they get to watch me swim."
