WHEN Jack Gunston arrived at Hawthorn via a trade with Adelaide in October 2011, he was still a raw 20 year old who had played just 14 career games and was still finding his feet.

Of those 14, not one was a final such was his inexperience at AFL level.

Still, when he donned the brown and gold for the first time, the expectation on his shoulders from fans and media commentators was suitable perhaps, for a player of far more experience.

So when the 2012 finals series rolled around and Gunston had kicked 33 goals in 16 matches during the home and away rounds, the expectation and anticipation of what he could produce on the biggest stage grew.

He performed admirably during Hawthorn’s ultimately unsuccessful campaign, booting six goals (two in each) and averaged 13.6 disposals and 3.3 marks.

Now, as he prepares to embark on the second finals series of his short career, he feels much better placed to have an impact as the minor premiers aim to achieve what they couldn’t in 2012.

It is the experience of his first finals series, along with the added preparation of a further 20 matches at AFL level that has him feeling better prepared for the pressure of finals footy.

“The feeling of finals and the excitement it brings to the AFL rubs off on everyone at the Club,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“Last year, every moment, every, meeting, every day it was just exciting to be amongst it.

“All the fans come out to training and the media hype goes up, I guess for young guys it can get a bit overwhelming at times.

“This year hopefully we’re better placed and personally, having been through it before, you know what to except and this time, really focus on the footy where certain aspects last year might have got the better of you.

“To go out in front of 80 or 90,000 people, not everyone gets to experience it so to have been able to do it before, I’ll hopefully be able to soak up that pressure.

“It’s good to have done it before and I’m really looking forward to getting out there on Friday night and hopefully performing well.”

Gunston has kicked two more goals than the same time last year and also played in more matches, having played 20 games this year.

Of those 20, 10 have been against teams that have finished in the top eight – the same amount of matches the Hawks have played against the best teams this season.

He has performed well in each, having kicked 19 goals and averaged 15.4 disposals.

The Hawks have played fellow finalists Geelong, Collingwood and Sydney twice this year, including their Qualifying Final opponents just last week.

Gunston gathered 18 disposals and kicked two goals in Hawthorn’s win over the Swans and says his team’s tough draw can only be a positive heading into what he hopes is a successful finals campaign.

“It holds you in good stead to have played in high pressure games,” he said.

“Playing a finals side in the last round, you couldn’t ask for anything better because it’s going to prepare you as well as anything for a finals game.

“To have played the majority of the top eight sides twice throughout the year, it holds the team in good stead and we know we’re able to match it with anyone if we play our best footy.”