IT HAS been just five months since recruit Jack Gunston arrived at the Club - but he already feels like a Hawthorn veteran, such has been the warm welcome he’s received since arriving at the Ricoh Centre.

The 193cm forward requested a trade from the Crows at the end of the 2011 season, after managing 14 matches in two seasons with his former club.

With several Victorian clubs registering their interest, the 20-year-old said the Hawks’ reputation and recent success helped him decide Hawthorn was his desired destination.

“Obviously success is a big thing and also the culture,” Gunston said.

“After speaking to Clarko (coach Alastair Clarkson) and Graham Wright (the Club’s National Recruiting Manager), and hearing what they’ve got in place here - it’s a really strong culture.

“(They’ve also got) a great bunch of guys, so I’m pretty lucky to come to a club like this, they’re very welcoming.”

Gunston credits the importance of understanding the Club’s rich history for his ability to settle in so well at his new Club.

“I’ve read all the books that I’ve been given and listened to the people that have come and spoken to us in some of the sessions - especially at the induction camp, where we went away for a weekend to Cape Schanck,” he said.

“It’s definitely important to learn about the Club’s history and how it was formed and, the success and hardships they’ve been through to really be able to embrace yourself in the Club.”

Crossing from one club to another is a difficult process, so Gunston enlisted the help of players who have been through the club-to-club transition to help him make a smooth entry to life as a Hawk.

“David Hale and Shaun Burgoyne, knowing how they adapted in their first pre-season and first couple of games throughout the year (was beneficial),” he said.

“The good thing about this club is that once you’re here it just feels like you’ve been here for a while.

“The boys are pretty good like that and it feels like I’ve been here for a couple of years already so it’s good.”

Established stars including Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead have also helped him make the transition from the Crows to the Hawks.

“The more experienced guys who play in the forward line, they’ve definitely helped me a lot out on the track and off the field.”

Adding to his ability to fit in at his new club has been the reception received from coach Alastair Clarkson.

“Clarko is definitely very easy to get along with,” he said.

“The team meetings and one-on-one meetings with him, it’s really easy to pick up what he wants from you.

“It’s easy to get a good relationship going with Clarko pretty early and so far I’m really happy.”

The quietly spoken forward revealed it was a difficult decision to leave the Crows, as several Victorian clubs confirmed their interest.

“It wasn’t really until the end of the season that I realised I wanted to come home and play my footy back in Melbourne,” he said.

“It was obviously a tough decision between a few clubs, and obviously to leave Adelaide.

“Hawthorn really appealed to me and I had an opportunity to come back and I just made that decision before trade week.”

The Hawks opened discussions with the Crows, culminating in the Club giving up its first round choice, number 24 in the 2011 AFL draft, as well as a swap of third and fourth round selections.

“I was pretty fortunate with my manager and Graham Wright and the Club here that they were able to get the deal done,” he said.

“I was really lucky to get the deal done pretty early as well, and I came here the next week and it’s gone really well from there.”

The forward’s eyes are now firmly on the upcoming home-and-away season, and he believes his preparation has put him in the position to cement his place in the Hawks’ best 22.

To do that though, Gunston knows that impressive performances in the pre-season competition, combined with solid form on the training track is the only way he will achieve his goal.

“I’m pretty happy with the way the pre-season has gone, I’m a lot fitter now that it’s my third pre-season,” he said.

“I’ve run a lot better times in my time trials and I’m gradually putting on the weight and getting stronger - they’re my main focuses going towards the season as well as obviously picking up the game plan as early as possible.”

His ability to understand and adapt to the solid game style that almost earned the Hawks a spot in last year’s grand final will be an important factor in becoming a member of the Club’s best 22.

His ability too, to work in tandem with Franklin, Roughead and Hale in the forward line will be important.

“I’ve obviously got a fair bit of work to do, and I’ve got to have some good solid pre-season games and still train really well and hopefully push for a Round 1 spot,” he said.

“The earlier I can get the connection with Buddy, Haley and Roughy or whoever is down there (in the forward line), the easier it’s going to be.”

Chemistry with Franklin, last season’s Coleman medallist is seemingly already a strength - with the pair combining for two straight goals in Hawthorn’s pre-season match against Richmond leading to a new nickname, ‘Frankston’.

“A few people were telling me that he was the only person I passed to,” he laughed.

The Hawks journey to their second home, Aurora Stadium in Tasmania on Saturday to take on the competition’s newest club, Greater Western Sydney.

Gunston will play his first ever AFL match in Launceston, and is excited by the opportunity to play against the competition’s new side.

“It’s obviously something different (playing GWS), it’s a bit exciting,” he said.

“It’s going to be hard, having never seen them play before but you do your homework and watch their games from last week but you take it as if it’s another game.

“It’ll be the first time we’re playing four quarters (in 2012) so it’ll be a good test for us and it’ll be a solid hit out.”


Kate Salemme is a member of Hawthorn Football Club’s digital media team reporting exclusively for hawthornfc.com.au from the Ricoh Centre.