Star Geelong forward Tom Hawkins is drawing inspiration from storylines in world sport as the Cats seek to turn around their stuttering AFL premiership defence.
After Saturday's shock home defeat to a Toby Greene-inspired GWS, Geelong find themselves sitting 10th with a 5-6 record following a third-straight loss.
A stack of injuries have compounded the Cats' misery but Hawkins said Geelong were remaining calm and believed they could respond in the back-half of the season.
"There's obviously a touch of frustration, losing (three) in a row, and we're dealing with that," the 34-year-old said on Tuesday.
"We're certainly not playing the way we want to, but we are putting some things in place to rectify that.
"I'm still really positive about the season."
A fan of the NBA, Hawkins admired how Boston fought back from 0-3 down to level their Eastern Conference finals series against Miami.
The Celtics ended up losing Monday's deciding Game 7 but Hawkins said sport was littered with examples of teams seemingly having no hope but responding fiercely.
"You're never out of it, that's an athlete's mindset," Hawkins said.
"I'm still really positive with what we can achieve."
Basketball was the theme of the day at Geelong as they switched training from GMHBA Stadium to a nearby ground as they tried to handball footballs into hoops.
Captain Patrick Dangerfield took part in a limited capacity and remains a chance to face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night after missing three weeks with a hamstring injury.
"I'm not here to to bulls**t you, but I don't know (if Dangerfield will play)," Hawkins said.
"He's a chance along with a couple of others; Gary (Rohan), Jack Bowes as well, so time will tell over the next few days."
Despite having a severely interrupted pre-season due to a serious foot injury, Hawkins has booted 30 goals in his 17th season and remains open to playing on in 2024.
"My priority has been clearly knowing my body and trying to get physically as best prepared as I can and then maintaining a certain level throughout the year," Hawkins said.
"That's certainly going to be a conversation for more the back end of the year.
"I need to see how I'm feeling physically and mentally, whether the club's prepared to go forward again with me.
“I don’t see why there is a reason that I would step away but four-to-five months is a long time in footy.”
