WHETHER it’s within his on-field role or as a forward line leader, Jack Gunston has his sights set on improving again in 2016.
The 24-year-old has established himself among the Hawks’ most important players over the past couple of years, kicking 161 goals across the past three seasons.
But he has no doubt he – and the team – still have room to improve in 2016.
“A key thing for me has been always improving on whatever you put out the last year,” Gunston told hawthornfc.com.au
“I’ve looked at all my stats and figures from last year, and I guess in front of goal my accuracy is one thing to work on.
“Over the 2013-2014 period I was pretty accurate in front of goal, and last year I sort of wavered a little bit. (For me) it’s about getting back to being one of the most reliable in front of goal and having the trust of my teammates.”
The triple premiership Hawk will return for Saturday night’s NAB Challenge match against North Melbourne, alongside a host of experienced Hawks including leaders Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Isaac Smith.
With vice-captain and fellow key forward Jarryd Roughead sidelined, Gunston hopes he can continue to develop his leadership skills to benefit the team.
“It’s definitely something that I want to bring into my game, the leadership side of things,” he said.
“Over the last few years, working with Roughy up forward has been great for me. I’ve learned a lot on and off the field from him.
“He’s still going to be there off the field for us throughout the first half of the season, but I guess with the on-field side of things I’m a bit more comfortable now.”
There’s no replacing Roughead, but Gunston is confident the Hawks have some young leaders ready to step up and some young forwards ready to take their chance at AFL level.
“Obviously we’ve got to find a few goals early in the season that he’d normally kick, but saying that there’s some exciting young guys – guys like James Sicily and Tim O’Brien – coming through,” he said.
“Then there’s guys like Luke Breust, Ryan Schoenmakers and myself, who have played a lot of footy together, and we know the structures and the set-ups and want to help guide the guys around us.
“When we’re working well together (as a forward group) and playing unselfish footy, I think that’s when we get the best results.”
After a couple of injury interruptions during the pre-season, Gunston believes he’s building nicely ahead of the season.
He can’t wait to contribute to the team on Saturday night.
“I’ve had a little shin setback which kept me off the track for a few sessions… and the ankle injury from the end of last season delayed my full impact at the start of pre-season,” Gunston said.
“But other than that I’ve been able to get some really solid sessions in.
“I’m getting in plenty of ball work, long distance running and the short sharp stuff, so I’ve been building towards playing this weekend.
“They’re not easy games, NAB Challenge games – it’s all preparation for Round 1. Sitting back and watching the boys play, you just want to get out there and be able to contribute… I’m pretty excited about getting back out there.”
