Jack Gunston

Gunston was raised in Melbourne in Beaumaris and attended Haileybury College from Prep to year 12, he played school football alongside three other future AFL players (Tom Scully, Jack Hutchins, and Tom Lynch).{{cite journal|url=http://www.haileybury.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/8779/The_Haileyburian_-_Summer_2014.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311221311/http://www.haileybury.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/8779/The_Haileyburian_-_Summer_2014.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 March 2015|title=Haileybury Sport|journal=The Haileyburyian|issue=Summer 2014|page=15}} His father, Ray Gunston, played VFA football for Brunswick, and later moved into sports administration.{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/patrick-smith/afl-money-man-ray-gunston-well-versed-in-clubland/news-story/97625bfde562a3725f3943a9b37c8193|title=AFL money man Ray Gunston well versed in clubland|newspaper=The Australian|last1=Smith|first1=Patrick|date=2 August 2016|access-date=21 August 2016}} Gunston began his junior career with the Beaumaris Football Club. He originally played mainly as a midfielder, but after growing {{Convert|15|cm|inch}} in two years he began to play more in key positions.{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/hawthorns-jack-gunston-has-proved-a-handy-acquisition-as-third-tall-forward/story-e6frepf6-1226479050069|title=Hawthorn's Jack Gunston has proved a handy acquisition as third tall forward|newspaper=Herald Sun|last1=Anderson|first1=Jon|date=22 September 2012|access-date=21 August 2016}} In 2009, the year he became eligible for the AFL Draft, Gunston was selected for the Sandringham Dragons, a TAC Cup team. Early in the season, he dislocated his elbow in a practice game, an injury which took eight weeks to heal. Gunston played for the Dragons in only their last six matches, but was nonetheless a second-round pick in the 2009 AFL National Draft, taken by Adelaide with the 29th pick overall.{{Cite web|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4417/newsid/87733/default.aspx|title=Injury almost ruined Gunston's chances|first=Katrina|last=Gill|website=Adelaide Football Club|date=December 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329042556/http://www.afc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4417/newsid/87733/default.aspx|archive-date=29 March 2012}}

Gunston made his AFL debut against the Brisbane Lions in 9th round of the 2010 AFL season. In a promising debut Gunston collected seven disposals and kicked a vital goal in the final quarter.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-05-23/lions-killed-off-by-crows/837242|title=Lions killed off by Crows|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=May 24, 2010}} He played one more game in round 18 against Richmond collecting nine disposals.

He finished the year on the wing with Central District's 2010 premiership Side.

In 2011 he played 12 games, kicking five goals against Richmond in round 23.{{cite web|url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2013/09/30/from-a-skinny-18-year-old-to-grand-final-hero-the-story-of-jack-gunston/|title=From a skinny 18-year-old to Grand Final hero - the story of Jack Gunston|website=The Roar|last1=Willis|first1=Max|date=September 29, 2013|access-date=March 14, 2020}}

After two years in Adelaide, Gunston became homesick and sought to return to Victoria. He refused to participate in the finals series for Central District, choosing to return home to Victoria before the end of the SANFL season.{{cite web|url=http://www.cdfc.com.au/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=682&Itemid=57 |title=2010 Grand Final - Great Victory For Flag|first=Robert|last=Laidlaw|website=Central District Bulldogs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927063522/http://www.cdfc.com.au/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=682&Itemid=57|archive-date=27 September 2011}} Adelaide had awarded him the Mark Bickley Award as the club's best young player, but he was stripped of the title after announcing his intention to leave.{{cite news|title=Crows stripped Gunston of award|first=Michelangelo|last=Rucci|newspaper=The Advertiser|date=11 September 2011|access-date=22 September 2011|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/crows-stripped-gunston-of-award/story-e6frecj3-1226134143643}}

He was traded to Hawthorn in a deal that saw three draft picks (pick 24, 46 & 64) given to Adelaide and two picks returned (pick 53 and 71).{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/hawks-secure-gunston-20111012-1lk8q.html|title=Hawks secure Gunston|work=The Age|date=12 October 2011|first=Scott |last=Spits}}

In his first season at Hawthorn he played 19 games, including the 2012 Grand Final, and followed up in 2013 with 23 games.

Gunston played in the 2013 Grand Final against Fremantle, and was one of the best players on the ground, kicking 4 goals to be the leading goalkicker in the match and finishing second in the Norm Smith Medal count to teammate Brian Lake.{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/voting-for-the-norm-smith-medal-2013-20130928-2ul5w.html|title=Voting for the Norm Smith Medal 2013|website=The Age|date=September 28, 2013|access-date=March 14, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/65891/gunston-a-straightshooter|title=Straight-shooting Gunston lifted when it mattered|website=Australian Football League|last1=Ryan|first1=Peter|date=September 29, 2013|access-date=March 14, 2020}} Gunston played an important role as key forward in 2014, finishing with a career-high 58 goals for the season{{cite web|url=https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_goal_kickers?year=2014&type=T&sort=goals|title=AFL Goalkickers for Season 2014|website=Footywire|access-date=March 14, 2020}} and earning his second premiership as Hawthorn triumphed in the 2014 Grand Final.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/hawthorn-wins-the-2014-afl-grand-final-and-they-were-simply-awesome-2014-9In|title=Hawthorn Wins The 2014 AFL Grand Final - And They Were Simply Awesome|website=Business Insider|last1=Thomsen|first1=Simon|date=September 27, 2014|access-date=March 14, 2020}}{{dead link|date=August 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In 2015, Gunston was Hawthorn's leading goalkicker, kicking 57 goals.{{cite web|url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/415678/season-review-gunston|title=Season Review: Gunston|website=Hawthorn Football Club|last1=Pettyfor|first1=Clare|date=November 10, 2015|access-date=March 14, 2020}} He injured his knee in the Qualifying Final against the West Coast Eagles,{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-finals-2015-hawthorns-jack-gunston-a-noshow-at-training-20150922-gjs8g4.html|title=AFL finals 2015: Hawthorn;s Jack Gunston in race to prove fitness|website=The Age|last1=Pierik|first1=Jon|date=September 22, 2015|access-date=March 14, 2020}} but he returned in the Grand Final to kick 4 goals, in Hawthorn's three-peat victory against the Eagles once more.{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-grand-final-2015-hawthorn-beat-west-coast-to-win-three-premierships-in-a-row-20151003-gk0if5.html|title=AFL grand final 2015: Hawthorn beat West Coast to win three premierships in a row|website=The Age|last1=Connolly|first1=Rohan|date=October 3, 2015|access-date=March 14, 2020}}

In 2016, Gunston was forced to take on new roles due to the season-ending injury received by Jarryd Roughead, occasionally moving into the centre. Regardless, he kicked 51 goals over the home-and-away season and the finals, and he was widely regarded as being in excellent form.{{cite web|url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/471973/season-review-jack-gunston|title=Season Review: Jack Gunston|website=Hawthorn Football Club|last1=Hill|first1=Jeremy|date=October 22, 2016|access-date=March 13, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/jack-gunston-in-careerbest-form-despite-hawthorns-scoring-decline/news-story/5f091021b2e404eb31363a5d90409dcd|title=Jack Gunston in career-best form despite Hawthorn's scoring decline|last1=Baldwin|first1=Adam|date=June 10, 2016|website=Fox News|access-date=March 13, 2020}}

Gunston had a poor beginning to 2017, not kicking a large number of goals. As both a result of this and a large number of injuries suffered by Hawthorn's key defenders, Gunston was moved into the backline, where he significantly improved his performance.{{cite web|url=https://hashtagfooty.com.au/hawthorn-hawks/content/the-kids-are-alright-in-defence|title=The kids are alright in defence|website=Hashtag Footy|last1=Marlow|first1=Brandon|date=August 12, 2017|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316072038/http://www.hashtagfooty.com.au/hawthorn-hawks/content/the-kids-are-alright-in-defence|url-status=dead}}

Gunston was moved back into the forward line for 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/116760/gun-hawk-heads-forward-after-defensive-stint|title=Gin Hawk heads forward after backline stint|website=Australian Football League|last1=Davidson|first1=Ryan|date=February 6, 2018|access-date=March 13, 2020}} He enjoyed good form, forming a forward partnership with Luke Breust with the pair kicking a combined 105 goals between them.{{cite web|url=https://themongrelpunt.com/afl-season-2020/2020/01/16/the-good-bad-and-ugly-hawthorn-season-preview-2020/|title=The Good, Bad and Ugly - Hawthorn Season Preview 2020|website=The Mongrel Punt|last1=Meyers|first1=H.B.|date=January 16, 2020|access-date=March 12, 2020}} Gunston personally kicked 48 goals and came equal 6th in the Coleman Medal.{{cite web|url=https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_goal_kickers?year=2018&type=T&sort=scoringShots|title=AFL Goalkickers for Season 2018|website=Footywire|access-date=March 13, 2020}}

In February 2019, it was announced that Gunston had been appointed vice-captain, alongside the new captain, Ben Stratton.{{cite web|url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/2019-02-28/letter-to-members-our-captain|title=Letter to members: Our captain|website=Hawthorn Football Club|last1=Kennett|first1=Jeff|date=February 28, 2019|author1-link=Jeff Kennett}} His forward partnership with Breust was not as effective as the previous season, with the pair kicking only a combined 60 goals between them, and Hawthorn missed the finals.

Gunston missed the majority of the 2021 season, playing just one game. He suffered a back injury that required surgery, before a premature comeback and recurrence of the injury required further surgery to correct the issue.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-21 |title=Jack’s back: Hawks star’s promising progress after frustrating 2021 campaign |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/hawthorn-hawks/afl-news-2021-jack-gunston-back-injury-hawthorn-hawks-star-running-again-surgery/news-story/b7396082dc66f504e128cc686963dd03 |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}

Gunston returned to full fitness in the 2022 season, finishing with 32 goals from 16 games and ending the season rated as 'above average' for marks inside 50, goals and score involvements.{{Cite web |last=Healey |first=Catherine |date=2022-10-11 |title=Brisbane’s bargain: How Lions let $3m free agent walk and got ‘a better player’ for cheap |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/brisbane-lions/afl-trade-news-2022-jack-gunston-better-than-dan-mcstay-impact-on-brisbane-lions-dermott-brereton-hawthorn-hawks/news-story/7d93f516e23976a721f279ad7f328fde |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}

Gunston collected 47 Brownlow Medal votes over the course of his career at Hawthorn.

At the conclusion of the 2022 AFL season, Gunston expressed a desire to move to the {{AFL BL}} as a free agent. However, in order to avoid diluting their free agency compensation for losing Daniel McStay, the Lions instead sought to trade for Gunston, ultimately acquiring him on 11 October in exchange for AFL draft pick 48 and a future fourth-round selection.{{cite web |title=Run and Gun: Lions land Hawks sharpshooter |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/854553 | first=Josh | last=Gabelich |date=11 October 2022 |access-date=11 October 2022|work=AFL Media}}{{Cite tweet |user=AFL_House|number=1579626662299590658 |date=11 October 2022 |title=Trade paperwork lodged.}}

After one season at Brisbane, Gunston requested a trade back to {{AFL Haw}}, and he was traded on the final day of trade period.{{Cite tweet |user=AFL_House|number=1714549373617766445|date=18 October 2023|title=Trade paperwork lodged.}}

Gunston has a reputation for being very accurate in kicking for goal from set shots, being frequently described as a "sharp-shooter". He is said to have a "very balanced, methodical set-shot routine", with a focus on a straight drop.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/the-list-fox-footys-league-teams-asks-viewers-to-decide-which-afl-player-is-the-best-setshot-for-goal/news-story/d9f23973ab809d3ce75e9d1d871082af|title=The List: Who's the best seat shot for goal?|website=Fox Sports|last1=Waterworth|first1=Ben|date=August 27, 2014|access-date=21 August 2016}} Towards the end of the 2013 season, it was reported that Gunston had the best conversion rate out of the top 50 goalkickers in the competition, with 82.5 percent of his set shots from the past two seasons resulting in goals.{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/gunston-a-hawkeye-goalkicker-20130905-2t85p.html|title=Gunston a Hawk-eye goalkicker|website=The Age|last1=Baum|first1=Greg|date=6 September 2013|access-date=21 August 2016}}

Updated to the end of round 14, 2025.{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/J/Jack_Gunston.html|title=Jack Gunston's player profile at AFL Tables|website=AFL Tables}}

{{Australian rules football statistics legend|p=y}}

{{AFL player statistics start with votes}}

|-

| 2010 || {{AFL Ade}} || 28

| 2 || 1 || 0 || 11 || 5 || 16 || 5 || 4 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 5.5 || 2.5 || 8.0 || 2.5 || 2.0 || 0

|-

| 2011 || {{AFL Ade}} || 6

| 12 || 19 || 11 || 90 || 39 || 129 || 60 || 21 || 1.6 || 0.9 || 7.5 || 3.3 || 10.8 || 5.0 || 1.8 || 0

|-

| 2012 || {{AFL Haw}} || 19

| 19 || 39 || 22 || 139 || 87 || 226 || 78 || 29 || 2.1 || 1.2 || 7.3 || 4.6 || 11.9 || 4.1 || 1.5 || 0

|-

| bgcolor=F0E68C | 2013^# || {{AFL Haw}} || 19

| 23 || 46 || 17 || 228 || 127 || 355 || 128 || 57 || 2.0 || 0.7 || 9.9 || 5.5 || 15.4 || 5.6 || 2.5 || 1

|-

| bgcolor=F0E68C | 2014^# || {{AFL Haw}} || 19

| 23 || 58 || 27 || 238 || 132 || 370 || 137 || 41 || 2.5 || 1.2 || 10.3 || 5.7 || 16.1 || 6.0 || 1.8 || 6

|-

| bgcolor=F0E68C | 2015^# || {{AFL Haw}} || 19

| 24 || 57 || 35 || 277 || 119 || 396 || 179 || 52 || 2.5 || 1.5 || 11.5 || 5.0 || 16.5 || 7.5 || 2.2 || 7

|-

| 2016 || {{AFL Haw}} || 19

| 24 || 51 || 33 || 260 || 125 || 385 || 154 || 71 || 2.1 || 1.4 || 10.8 || 5.2 || 16.0 || 6.4 || 3.0 || 4

|-

| 2017 || {{AFL Haw}} || 19

| 22 || 19 || 11 || 278 || 138 || 416 || 132 || 58 || 0.9 || 0.5 || 12.6 || 6.3 || 18.9 || 6.0 || 2.6 || 6

|-

| 2018 || {{AFL Haw}} || 19

| 23 || 51 || 32 || 292 || 117 || 409 || 125 || 46 || 2.2 || 1.4 || 12.7 || 5.1 || 17.8 || 5.4 || 2.0 || 10

|-

| 2019 || {{AFL Haw}} || 19

| 20 || 26 || 21 || 221 || 89 || 310 || 111 || 46 || 1.3 || 1.1 || 11.1 || 4.5 || 15.5 || 5.6 || 2.3 || 5

|-

| 2020{{efn|The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.}} || {{AFL Haw}} || 19

| 16 || 31 || 21 || 133 || 48 || 181 || 68 || 22 || 1.9 || 1.3 || 8.3 || 3.0 || 11.3 || 4.3 || 1.4 || 5

|-

| 2021 || {{AFL Haw}} || 19

| 1 || 0 || 0 || 6 || 1 || 7 || 1 || 2 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 6.0 || 1.0 || 7.0 || 1.0 || 2.0 || 0

|-

| 2022 || {{AFL Haw}} || 19

| 16 || 32 || 24 || 129 || 43 || 172 || 70 || 22 || 2.0 || 1.5 || 8.1 || 2.7 || 10.8 || 4.4 || 1.4 || 3

|-

| 2023 || {{AFL BL}} || 19

| 17 || 22 || 14 || 134 || 36 || 170 || 88 || 16 || 1.3 || 0.8 || 7.9 || 2.1 || 10.0 || 5.2 || 0.9 || 3

|-

| 2024 || {{AFL Haw}} || 19

| 18 || 29 || 17 || 120 || 39 || 159 || 82 || 21 || 1.6 || 0.9 || 6.7 || 2.2 || 8.8 || 4.6 || 1.2 || 3

|-

| 2025 || {{AFL Haw}} || 19

| 11 || 28 || 18 || 105 || 35 || 140 || 63 || 15 || 2.5 || 1.6 || 9.5 || 3.2 || 12.7 || 5.7 || 1.4 ||

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 271 !! 509 !! 303 !! 2661 !! 1179 !! 3840 !! 1481 !! 525 !! 1.9 !! 1.1 !! 9.8 !! 4.4 !! 14.2 !! 5.5 !! 1.9 !! 53

|}

Notes

{{notelist}}

Team

• 3× AFL premiership player ({{AFL Haw}}): 2013, 2014, 2015
• 2× Minor premiership ({{AFL Haw}}): 2012, 2013
• 3× McClelland Trophy ({{AFL Haw}}): 2012, 2013, 2024

Individual

• All-Australian team: 2018
• Peter Crimmins Medal: 2020
• 3× Hawthorn leading goalkicker: 2015, 2016, 2020
• 22under22 team: 2014
• Australia international rules football team: 2017

Gunston's partner is Melbourne model Dani Shreeve.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/brownlow-medal-2018-live-the-winners-the-dresses-and-red-carpet-arrivals-20180921-p50560.html|title=Brownlow Medal 2018 LIVE: The winners, the dresses and red carpet arrivals|website=Sydney Morning Herald|last1=Miletic|first1=Daniella|date=September 24, 2018|access-date=June 14, 2020}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Hawplayer}}
• {{AFL Tables | J/Jack_Gunston }}

{{Hawthorn player squad}}

{{2013 Hawthorn premiership players}}

{{2014 Hawthorn premiership players}}

{{2015 Hawthorn premiership players}}

{{2018 All-Australian team}}

{{Peter Crimmins Medal}}

{{Hawthorn leading goalkickers}}

{{2009 AFL national draft}}

{{2024 AFL pre-season draft}}

{{2017 Australian international rules team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gunston, Jack}}

Category:Living people

Category:1991 births

Category:People educated at Haileybury (Melbourne)

Category:Adelaide Football Club players

Category:Hawthorn Football Club players

Category:Hawthorn Football Club premiership players

Category:Sandringham Dragons players

Category:Central District Football Club players

Category:Australian rules footballers from Melbourne

Category:Box Hill Football Club players

Category:Australia international rules football team players

Category:All-Australians (AFL)

Category:Peter Crimmins Medal winners

Category:VFL/AFL premiership players

Category:Brisbane Lions players

Category:People from Beaumaris, Victoria

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen