Described as returning to being a "genuine match winner" during the 2014 season by teammate, Tom Lonergan, Hawkins overcame his back injury to replicate his form from the 2012 season. He kicked sixty-eight goals for the season including a career-high seven goals against the in round 23. He had strong performances against Hawthorn, kicking five goals and , kicking four goals in rounds five and ten respectively; his performance against Hawthorn earned him the maximum three Brownlow votes making him the best player on the ground adjudged by the field umpires. During the qualifying final match against , he was scrutinised for a jumper punch against Ben Stratton, which was pondered whether Hawkins would face a suspension; he was ultimately cleared of the incident, which allowed him to play in the semi-final loss against North Melbourne. His season was rewarded with selection in the initial forty man All-Australian squad, although he missed out on the final team. In addition, he finished second in the best and fairest count behind Joel Selwood, he finished second in the Coleman Medal and he was Geelong's leading goalkicker for the third consecutive season.