Sam Mitchell says his side’s game on Sunday, which is dedicated to the late Paul Dear’s battle with pancreatic cancer, has “hit close to home”.

Hawthorn will play its Dare to Hope match, which was ignited by the former premiership player and 1991 Norm Smith Medallist, when it hosts West Coast on Sunday at the MCG.

After a celebrated 123-game career in the brown and gold from 1987 to 1996, Dear was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2020, one of Australia’s deadliest cancers, before sadly passing away last week.

Mitchell said he was thankful to have had Dear visit the club and speak to the playing group earlier this year.

“It was just brilliant, I loved listening to him and there were some real lessons from his stories,” Mitchell said.

“Now being able to support his family and their cause around Pancare is really important for us.

“Sometimes you do have those games that hit quite close to home, having seen him, and him coming into the organisation a while ago, I’m really happy we had that opportunity.”

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Mitchell also outlined that star forward Jack Gunston will again be unavailable for selection this weekend.

Gunston missed the win over Adelaide on Sunday following the sudden passing of his father Ray.

“Jack hasn’t been able to train with us,” Mitchell said.

“We’ve had good, open conservations with him – he’s had a really tough week –  but really pleasingly he has spent a lot of time with his family.

“We had him in the club yesterday and he spoke to the boys, and we told some stories about Ray which was really nice.

“It’s going to be up to him when he feels comfortable and ready to play again.”

Hear more from Mitchell’s press conference below.