Sharpshooters don’t forget how to shoot sharp
With a career-low season goal-kicking accuracy of 45 per cent, Jack Gunston had a point to prove as he headed down to Tassie. Gunston has never had a season where he has finished with more behinds than goals and on Saturday he showed why. The 27-year-old was back to his best against Port Adelaide, kicking two important first term goals before going on with it to finish with an equal career-high six majors.
Shut off the Power from the start
Port Adelaide has built the unwanted reputation so far this season of being slow-starters. Entering Round 10, Ken Hinkley’s side had won just three of its nine first quarters for the season. The Hawks identified this vulnerability of their opponent and went after it, keeping the Power scoreless in the opening term for just the second time in the club’s history. It wasn’t until the 10-minute mark of the second term, when debutant Peter Ladhams put a shot at goal wide, that they were able to put a score on the board. It was the perfect start by the Hawks.
Burgoyne breaks into top 10
Shaun Burgoyne officially entered the all-time top 10 for most games played on Saturday, when he lined up for his 364th AFL game, equalling Brad Johnson in 10thposition. The 36-year-old said that while these types of milestones are nice to recognise with family, they are far from the focus at this point in time. “I’m not really looking at that at the moment. Whatever I end up with when I retire I’ll be happy with. It’s nice, especially for my kids, they love this kind of thing, but I’ll just worry about the games at the moment and [focus on] what’s in front of me,” Burgoyne said after Hawthorn’s win.
Tassie stronghold continues
The Hawks have now won 33 of their past 37 games in Launceston, as the venue proves an enduring home-ground advantage. Hawthorn will next venture down to Tassie in Round 17 when they take on Fremantle.
