Gunston another dimension: Gibson
Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson says the Club’s off-season recruit, Jack Gunston adds another dimension to the team’s...
Gunston, 20, started as the substitute in his first game in the brown and gold, before being subbed into the game mid-way through the third term, in place of fellow Club debutant, Jarrad Boumann.
The 193cm forward had an immediate impact, including booting a stunning goal from the pocket to spark the Hawks’ final quarter barrage.
“He took some good marks early on, and slotted that goal from the boundary. He’s fitted in really nicely,” Gibson said.
The Hawks forward line isn't short on talent, boasting reigning Coleman Medalist Lance Franklin, excitement machine Cyril Rioli and the soon-to-return Jarryd Roughead, among others.
“Gunston is that lead up forward, and if we’ve got everyone up and running, then it gives you a lot more versatility,” he said.
“Its been really pleasing to see the way Gunston has come on, and Roughy’s back soon, so that’ll just give us another dimension.”
The Hawks conceded 35 scoring shots on Friday night, something that Gibson says his team will need to assess.
“We haven’t really dissected it closely yet, but I’m sure we’ll do that as a defensive group.," he said.
"No doubt there were some goals we could have stopped, so we’ll have a look through that."
Roughead could make his return against the Cats this week, after a short turnaround from a VFL practice match with Box Hill kept him out of the Hawks' clash with the Magpies.
“He’s done his rehab really well, and he’s ticked all those boxes,” he said.
“I know for him, just to be back out there playing, no matter at what level, it’s really exciting and it’s rewarding when you’ve come off a long injury.”
Skipper Luke Hodge is in doubt after pulling up sore in a calf at training last Thursday, an injury that also kept him out of the Collingwood match.
“We’ve got a week until the game, so I’m sure he (Hodge) and the medicos will catch up this week and assess that,” he said.
Despite the win over the Magpies, the draw for the Hawks doesn’t get much easier, having to face reigning premiers Geelong on Monday.
“Obviously it was positive to have a win against them, we haven’t done that in a while so that was pleasing, but we can’t rest with that,” Gibson said.
“We’ve got the defending champions, who everyone wants to beat, so it’s going to be a great measuring stick for us.”
Kate Salemme is a member of Hawthorn Football Club’s digital media team reporting exclusively for hawthornfc.com.au from the Ricoh Centre.