In 2012, Hawkins had a break out year, kicking sixty-two goals to finish equal second in the Coleman Medal. In the round 19 match against Hawthorn, he kicked six goals including a goal after the siren to deliver Geelong a two-point victory. The win was Geelong's ninth consecutive victory over the Hawks since losing to them in the 2008 AFL Grand Final. After every season he participated in finished in at least making the preliminary final, Geelong exited the final series in the first week after the sixteen point loss to at the MCG. His emergence was rewarded with selection in the 2012 All-Australian team, the Carji Greeves Medal as the club best and fairest player and he was Geelong's leading goalkicker.