Good news stories by the double, in Hawthorn’s Round 7 team announcement.
Reigning Peter Crimmins Medallist Jack Gunston will make his first appearance for season 2021, having returned to full fitness following back surgery in December.
Head of Football Rob McCartney says Gunston’s experience and leadership qualities will be a welcome inclusion.
“Having our reigning best and fairest in our line up for the first time this season is exciting. Jack’s a proven performer and his talent and leadership will blend nicely with our developing young forwards. “ McCartney said.
The exciting news continues, with Emerson Jeka receiving his senior call up and preparing to make his AFL debut.
The tall forward comes in following a purple patch of form in the VFL, including a bag of five for Box Hill against the Northern Bullants last weekend.
According to McCartney, the youngster has put in the hard yards and thoroughly deserves his call up.
“We’re so pleased to see another young player get an opportunity at senior level,” McCartney said.
“Emerson has invested heavily in his development since he joined our football club in 2019. The improvement in his game, particularly this year, is a reflection of the time and effort he has invested into his craft. He enters the AFL arena on the back of consistently strong VFL form, thoroughly deserving of the opportunity that is in front of him.
“He is one of the exciting wave of young Hawks rising through our ranks, and we can’t wait to see him make his AFL debut in brown and gold colours .”
Unfortunately the Hawks will be without Shaun Burgoyne, who was suffered a minor ankle injury in the club’s Round 6 win, while Jaeger O’Meara and Chad Wingard will also be managed.
“Jaeger and Chad both presented with some general soreness following last Sunday’s win,” McCartney explained.
“Given the six-day break, we’ve decided to take a cautious approach to ensure they’re 100 per cent for next week’s match against West Coast.”
Finn Maginness will retain his spot after coming on as the medical sub in Round 6, with this week’s sub to be confirmed out of emergencies Damon Greaves, Conor Nash, Michael Hartley and Dan Howe.
The Hawks and Saints will use Saturday’s match as an opportunity to honour Victoria’s police officers who have fallen in the line of duty, as both sides contest the 22nd annual Blue Ribbon Cup.
ROUND 7 TEAM
St Kilda v Hawthorn
Saturday 1st May, 4.35pm AEST
B: Blake Hardwick, Kyle Hartigan, Jack Scrimshaw
HB: Harry Morrison, Sam Frost, Changkuoth Jiath
C: Tom Phillips, James Worpel, James Cousins
HF: Dylan Moore, Jack Gunston, Liam Shiels
F: Jacob Koschitzke, Tim O'Brien, Emerson Jeka
R: Ben McEvoy, Tom Mitchell, Luke Breust
INT: Mitch Lewis, Finn Maginness, Oliver Hanrahan, Jarman Impey
Emer: Damon Greaves, Conor Nash, Michael Hartley, Dan Howe
IN: Jack Gunston, Emerson Jeka
OUT: Chad Wingard (managed), Jaeger O'Meara (managed), Shaun Burgoyne (ankle)
