Jack Gunston signed on this week for one more season at Hawthorn, taking him past the age of 35. With Mitch Lewis also signing a big contract, and a host of younger tall forwards learning the trade in the VFL, the club seems to be overburdened with height in attack. Not since the days of Pagan's Paddock has a forward line been cleared out for one player, though in this case it's more like Gunston's Gully as he tends to lead from the square to the flanks and pockets more than Wayne Carey did. He's got one trick, but what a trick it is! Fitness is his major enemy now.
Jack Gunston signed on this week for one more season at Hawthorn, taking him past the age of 35. With Mitch Lewis also signing a big contract, and a host of younger tall forwards learning the trade in the VFL, the club seems to be overburdened with height in attack. Not since the days of Pagan's Paddock has a forward line been cleared out for one player, though in this case it's more like Gunston's Gully as he tends to lead from the square to the flanks and pockets more than Wayne Carey did. He's got one trick, but what a trick it is! Fitness is his major enemy now.
How many shots left, Jack?
Spending time in his preferred forward role in combination with stints on the wing and in defence, Jack Gunston struggled for form leading to a lowest disposal average since 2015. His highlight performance came against the Power in round 10, kicking six goals and receiving maximum Brownlow votes, but either side of that he was on a run of seven games at or below the forward baseline. He suffered an ankle injury in December which required surgery, sidelining him to February. Gunston is a lead candidate for plug and play roles, as his efficient ball use and positional discipline are rare commodities. However, coach Alastair Clarkson may need to use him more wisely to see him flourish, in a forward line that is in transition following the retirement of Jarryd Roughead and the introduction of younger talent. A dominant fantasy scorer in his preferred role as a half forward, select him in middle rounds in the hope that he can bounce back with 10 to 15 points of upside.
Gunston fires all chambers
Much to the delight of brown and gold fanatics, Jack Gunston was sent back to the forward line for season 2018. Having played a variety of roles in the season prior, the former Crow increased his goal output from 19 to 48, including a five-goal performance in a four-point win against an in-form Bomber outfit. Receiving a career high ten Brownlow votes last campaign, Gunston has shown remarkable consistency in his fantasy scoring, with each of his past five seasons averaging within a ten-point range. Gunston maintained his outstanding durability record in 2018, missing just one match over the past four seasons. With the preseason Tom Mitchell injury, his scoring power will in part be dictated by supply issues. Although forward half players are often only as good as the opportunities presented to them, the reigning All Australians ability to play multiple positions does limit the risk that a starved forward may often encounter. Selecting him within the first ten rounds may prove wise.
Dual-wielding Gunston
Having played the vast majority of his career as a centre half forward, Jack Gunston spent a season learning new roles as Alastair Clarkson looked to overcome the squad’s deficiencies. He only gained form in the back half of the season, playing as a rebounding defender for the final eight matches. After averaging more than two goals per game over his Hawthorn career, that figure dwindled below one in 2017. What did remain constant for the former Crow last year was his incredible durability, playing every match for a third consecutive campaign. While at the time of writing his position appears unclear, given this track record, be confident that whichever role Gunston plays will equate to points. He is worthy as a second forward option and would be a bargain outside the first ten rounds.
