The AFL is investigating footage that shows Geelong champion Tom Hawkins looking at a phone during the break in play of the Cats’ Easter Monday clash with Hawthorn.
Players were sent back to their changerooms by the umpires when lightning struck near the MCG just as the fourth quarter was about to begin.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Tom Hawkins speaks to 7NEWS after phone incident.
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Under strict AFL rules, players are not permitted to have their phones during the game and in breaks.
However, there are some staff who are authorised to have certain phones in the changerooms.
Moments after the Cats players got back into their rooms, Hawkins — who was celebrating his 350th game — was given a phone by Geelong player development officer Mark Worthington.
It is not clear whose property the phone was, and there is no suggestion by 7NEWS.com.au that Hawkins has done anything wrong.
A spokesperson for the AFL told 7NEWS.com.au that the league will investigate what happened.
“We will pick it up with Geelong after the game,” they said.
In 2021, Collingwood were fined $20,000 for a similar incident involving Magpies players Jordan De Goey and Jeremy Howe.
Speaking to 7NEWS after the match, Hawkins clarified the confusion.
“Our player development manager, I asked him about the radar, I wanted to get a look on what was coming our way — it certainly wasn’t my phone,” Hawkins said.
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