NEW HAWK Jack Gunston said he felt privileged to be a part of Friday night’s round one blockbuster against Collingwood, adding he was in awe of the match-winning performances of teammates Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli.

Gunston couldn't have picked a better stage and occasion to make his debut in the brown and gold, as close to 80,000 people crammed into the MCG to witness an early contender for game of the season.

In a match that bore stinking similarities with the epic 2011 preliminary final - except with a contrasting result - Gunston had to wait until the third quarter to make his mark after starting as the substitute, but that didn't phase the 193cm, 81kg forward.

"It was a different night to what I'm used to, coming out, round one with 80,000 [people in the crowd] - I was pinching myself at the start," he told hawthornfc.com.au after the win.

"It [being the substitute] was probably a good way to get introduced to the game, being the sub and being able to pick up the tempo and then come on in the second half.

"Probably about 40,000 (was the biggest crowd I'd played in front of) - my second biggest was the (Adelaide-Port Adelaide) Showdown last year. The Showdowns are definitely played with a lot of spirit and heat, but there's nothing like playing in front of 70 or 80, 000 at the 'G round one, Hawthorn-Collingwood,

"I feel pretty privileged to be able to play in tonight's game."

As well as dusting off the cobwebs from a long pre-season, Gunston also got to watch close-up the magic of Rioli and Franklin. He was as transfixed by their brilliance as all 78,464 people in the crowd.

"It's unreal to watch - when Cyril took that hanger, I was on the bench and I almost jumped up and started clapping, they're just marvelous players and excellent to watch," he said.

The rangy forward was introduced into the game midway through the third term and quickly showed why the Hawks were prepared to give up draft picks 24, 46 and 64 to the Crows in the trade period. He only touched the ball seven times, but every one of his possessions had a silky edge. He had Hawk fans gasping when he booted a boundary-side goal right on the paint 30m out late in the last quarter. Then, minutes later, he stuck a match-winning dagger into Collingwood hearts with a scything 50m pass to Franklin in the goalsquare.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was pleased Gunston's effort, as well as fellow newcomers Broc McCauley and Jarrad Boumann.

"They acquitted themselves pretty well," Clarkson said after the win.

"Jack gave us a little bit of run and a different forward target for us, which is why we recruited him to our club. He kicked the tough goal and missed the easy one. But we were pleased with his role.

"And I thought big Broc McCauley did a really serviceable job in the ruck. They would've looked at the game in the lead-up and saw that that was an area where they could get a really significant advantage [but] … I thought McCauley made it a real genuine contest throughout the course of the night and that certainly contributed to us winning the game."

Niall Seewang is a sub-editor for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter @AFL_NSeewang