KEY Geelong forward Tom Hawkins has made a rapid return to full fitness and could play in the Cats' pre-season opener against Hawthorn in Launceston.

The 28-year-old only joined full training in mid-January after having a knee operation in October to trim the meniscus after suffering a small tear at the end of last season.

However Cats football manager Steve Hocking told AFL.com.au Hawkins had done plenty of work to ensure his fitness was at a high level when he joined full training.

He said Hawkins was in the selection mix although a final decision would not be made until next week, with nine days remaining before next Friday's JLT Community Series game. 

"At this stage, with the work that he has done, it is certainly a consideration for us," Hocking said.

The Cats will be keen to have their forward line working cohesively early in 2017 with Hawkins once again expected to be the dominant figure inside 50. 

Defender Harry Taylor has been training with the forward group and Aaron Black joined the club from North Melbourne during the trade period. 

The Cats are also likely to throw Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield forward occasionally while first-year player Brandan Parfitt may have a chance to show his wares after impressing during pre-season. 

In 2016, Hawkins was the Cats' leading goalkicker for the fifth year in succession, booting 55 goals to bring his career tally to 387. 

He has kicked 35 goals in 21 pre-season games.