Much-loved Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston is set to play his 250th AFL game on Saturday afternoon when the Hawks go head-to-head with Adelaide at the MCG.
The 32-year-old began his AFL journey back in 2009 when he was drafted by the Crows with Pick 29, having plied his trade with the Beaumaris Football Club and Sandringham Dragons over his junior career.
Gunston went on to make his debut in 2010 and featured in 14 matches across two years before being traded to the Hawks ahead of the 2012 season.
It was at the Hawks where he experienced the most success, highlighted by his contributions to the club's 2013, 2014 and 2015 premierships.
He kicked four majors in each of the 2013 and 2015 triumphs and two crucial goals in the 2014 victory.
He also achieved his first taste of individual success in 2015, as he was crowned the club's leading goalkicker with 57 majors for the season.
Gunston would go on to lead the club's goalkicking a further two times in 2016 and 2020, joining an elite group in the Hawthorn history books.
In 2018, he earned league-wide recognition for his forward prowess as he claimed his first All Australian blazer after kicking 48 goals for the season and finishing equal sixth in the Coleman Medal.
A year later, Gunston was appointed the club's vice-captain, highlighting his contribution to the club as both a player and leader.
2020 proved to be one of Gunston's best individual seasons in brown and gold, finishing third in the Coleman Medal and winning the coveted Peter Crimmins Medal.
It was that year where his partnership with great teammate and friend Luke Breust really blossomed, with the duo kicking 105 majors between them.
At the end of the 2022 season, Gunston made the move to the Brisbane Lions and featured in 17 games for the club.
Now back at the Hawks, the veteran forward has taken another step in his illustrious career, playing an invaluable role in mentoring the next generation of brown and gold key forwards.
His senior coach, premiership teammate and good friend Sam Mitchell could not speak highly enough of Gunston's impact on the club when fronting the media on Thursday.
“I think if you look at the contribution of his whole career, you really break it into two," Mitchell said.
"One is being part of premierships, kicking goals, being in key games, being a big game player and one of the hardest match-ups.
"Then the second part of his career, we look internally and see the impact he’s having on our group, on our forward line and on our leadership programs.
"I couldn’t be prouder of what he’s doing off the field. It’s a bonus when he comes out and kicks four over the weekend and has such a strong performance.
"The impact that he's having on guys that we think can be future premiership players for the club has been massive.”
The brown and gold faithful are encouraged to get to the MCG from 1.45pm on Saturday to celebrate Gunston's special milestone, with tickets to the game available below.
Jack Gunston's CV
- 3x AFL Premiership Player - 2013, 2014 and 2015
- 3x Hawthorn leading goalkicker - 2015, 2016 and 2020
- Hawthorn Best First Year Player - 2012
- Hawthorn Best Finals Player - 2013
- 22under22 team - 2014
- International Rules team - 2017
- All Australian - 2018
- Hawthorn vice-captain - 2019
- Peter Crimmins Medallist - 2020
