CAPITALISING on your opportunities is critical in tight finals according to Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston.
Gunston, who was named Hawthorn’s best player in finals last year, seized his moments in last Friday night’s win over Geelong, kicking three crucial goals to finish as one of his team’s best.
That total included two important goals in succession to kick the Hawks clear in the third quarter before the Hawks ran out 36-point winners to advance straight into a Preliminary Final.
“You have your moments where you’re in the game and working to get the ball, I think sometimes as a forward it can get tough,” he told hawthornfc.com.au
“They had some quality defenders in Lonergan and Taylor so you just had to have your moments and make an impact when the ball is in your area.”
While he was Hawthorn’s leading goal kicker on Friday night along with midfielder Jordan Lewis, who also booted three, Gunston says it is the unpredictable nature of the forward line that is its biggest strength.
“Every forward line has their targets, it’s just good that we’re able to share the load. We don’t rely on too few,” he said.
“In finals you need to kick your goals when you get the chance, you need to kick straight.
“I thought ‘Rough’, ‘Punky’ (Luke breust) and myself did pretty well up there.”
Making an impact when your moment arrives has been key for the Hawks this year and indicative of the way finals footy is played.
The moment arrived for full back Brian Lake and he answered the call for the Hawks in a brilliant performance against Tom Hawkins.
Lake restricted the big Cat to just seven disposals and one goal for the night, while picking up 13 touches of his own.
Gunston was impressed with his teammates’ performance but says it has been the backline as a collective that has fired in the past month.
Hit by injury and suspension mid-way through the year, Hawthorn’s backline has settled heading into the finals, with Lake, Josh Gibson, Ben Stratton and Matt Spangher forming a formidable partnership.
He says he and his teammates have full confidence in the back six to stand up against the best forwards.
“Trying to get the same group of players to play week in, week out really helps because you build good chemistry together,” he said.
“When you see the defenders winning one on ones, you can anticipate up the ground a little bit earlier.
“If you think someone like ‘Lakey’ is going to take a mark, then you can spread a lot easier.
“It makes it a bit easier for the mids and the forwards to read off the backmen, especially when they’re playing well together.”
