Before he celebrates his 150th game milestone this Saturday night, let's take a look back at five of Jack Gunston's best outings in the brown and gold.
Round 16, 2014 vs North Melbourne: 21 possessions, 7 marks, 2 inside 50s and 6 goals
Gunston was a stand-out for the Hawks in this fiery clash against the Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium. Kicking six goals for the first time in his career, Gunston was awarded two Brownlow votes for his efforts. This outing marked the then-23-year old’s greatest haul of the season, a season in which he recorded his largest goals tally still to this day with 58 goals from his 23 matches.
Round 17, 2015 vs Carlton: 26 possessions, 12 marks, 4 marks, 4 inside 50s and 6 goals
The former Crow’s next six-goal performance came almost exactly a year later when the sharp-shooter tore apart the Blues under the roof at Etihad Stadium. The Hawks won the game by 138 points, setting a record for the biggest loss Carlton has suffered in club history. But it was all smiles for Gunston who was awarded three Brownlow votes and combined with Luke Breust and Paul Puopolo for 12 majors on the night.
Round 22, 2015 vs Brisbane Lions: 24 possessions, 10 marks, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s and 4 goals
In his 100th game at the University of Tasmania Stadium, Gunston was best afield as the Hawks claimed victory by 72 points. With the Hawks setting their sights on completing their premiership threepeat in the latter parts of the 2015 home and away season, the side was in full flight. This game is one of four occasions throughout his career so far that Gunston, then 25, was awarded the three Brownlow votes.
Grand Final 2015 vs West Coast: 17 possessions, 10 marks, 2 tackles and 4 goals
Jack Gunston is a proven Grand Final performer, having averaged three goals across his four appearances at the big dance. But the 2015 edition stands out as the best of Gunston’s quartet. The forward entered the game with a query over his fitness after he missed the preliminary final win over Fremantle with an ankle injury. But Gunston responded to this doubt by booting a game-high four goals and being named amongst the Hawks best on an historic day for the club.
Round 18, 2017 vs Fremantle: 35 possessions, 8 marks, 5 rebound 50s, 3 rebound 50s and 1 goal
After an opening half of the season in which Gunston managed just 15 goals from the first 13 games, coach Alastair Clarkson made the bold decision to move the forward into defence. In the final nine games of the year as a defender, Gunston averaged 23.9 disposals, 6.7 marks and also kicked four goals over that span. But this game against the Dockers marked Gunston’s best performance of the year. The 35 touches demolished his previous career-high of 26 against the Blues in 2015, earning him two Brownlow votes for his efforts. Gunston put the cherry on top when he sealed the game with a long-range goal midway through the final term.
