AFL Coleman Medal leaderboard: Tom Hawkins coming in hot as Lance Franklin slips down

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AFL Coleman Medal leaderboard: Tom Hawkins coming in hot as Lance Franklin slips down image

With 14 goals in two weeks - and 20 from his last four games - Geelong sharp-shooter Tom Hawkins has vaulted straight into contention.

Having kicked seven in the thrilling round 18 clash against Melbourne, Hawkins was on a mission a week later against Brisbane, nailing another seven-goal haul.

Hawkins has jumped to second in the standings, and sits just five goals behind North Melbourne's earlier-runaway leader Ben Brown, who only managed one major in his side's loss to West Coast.

Should Hawkins overtake Brown to win the medal, he would become the first Coleman winner for the Cats since Gary Ablett Sr took out the gong three seasons running in 1993, 1994 and 1995.

MORE: If Riewoldt took a pay cut to stay with Richmond, what would happen with Lynch?

However, the drought is longer for the Kangaroos - the last player to win the Coleman while playing for North Melbourne was incumbent Sydney coach John Longmire, who topped the standings with 98 goals way back in 1990.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn's Luke Breust continued his fine form with another four, this time against Fremantle, and has kicked 18 goals in his last five games.

Hawks teammate Jack Gunston also jumped into the top 10 after he kicked a brace against the Dockers.

Lance Franklin's relative struggles continued, kicking two against Essendon to drop three spots on the standings as his rivals flourished.

After his and Sydney's horror against the Suns at home in round 18, the following week's loss to Essendon saw the Swans drop out of the top eight.

BUDDY'S STRUGGLES: Does Franklin need to change his game if Sydney are to be a threat?

The Swans will need to get a hurry-along - as will Franklin - if they want to avoid missing the finals for only the second time since 2002.

Jeremy Cameron will return from a five-week ban for the Giants this weekend, and will look to jump back into the top 10 after leading the chase for Brown prior to his suspension.

COLEMAN MEDAL TOP 10 AFTER ROUND 19

PLAYER TEAM GOALS LAST GAME
Ben Brown North Melbourne 53.21 1 (v WC)
Tom Hawkins Geelong 48.22 7 (v BRI)
Luke Breust Hawthorn 45.21 4 (v FRE)
Jack Riewoldt Richmond 44.22 3 (v COL)
Lance Franklin Sydney 44.29 2 (v ESS)
Jesse Hogan Melbourne 42.19 1 (v ADE)
Tom McDonald Melbourne 40.13 3 (v ADE)
Will Hoskin-Elliott Collingwood 37.12 3 (v RIC)
Jack Gunston Hawthorn 35.20 2 (v FRE)
Josh Caddy Richmond 35.9 1 (v COL)

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