Jack Gunston, 34, holds key to Hawthorn's flag push

Jack Gunston is kicking the best footy of his life at 34. Hawthorn needs him to keep doing it.

Gunston turns 35 in October 2026, and he sits at the centre of Hawthorn's push for a first grand final appearance in 11 years, according to ABC. That is a long wait for a famous club. The veteran forward is a big reason the wait might end.

His career has already covered a lot of ground. Drafted by Adelaide in the 2009 national draft, he moved to Hawthorn and won three premierships. Then came a stint with Brisbane before a return to Hawthorn. September 2026 finds him in his fourth club stint across three clubs.

The numbers tell a strange story. Gunston did not top 60 goals in a season in the first 15 years of his career. Since turning 33, he has kicked 60 or more twice.

More than 35 per cent of his career goals have come after turning 30. Among players from the AFL era with 500 or more career goals, his rate of goals after 30 ranks sixth-highest.

How has he done it? He changed shape. Over the past two years Gunston shifted from a high-roaming forward role — leading up the ground to link play — to staying anchored closer to goal. Less running. More marking inside 50. More shots.

The 2026 season has brought the milestones. He booted his 600th career AFL goal in round 20 and finished that day with seven goals in Hawthorn's win over Essendon, per AFL.com.au. Earlier in the year he produced game-winning heroics in a win over Geelong under coach Sam Mitchell. He also missed the clash with Gold Coast with a foot injury, the club confirmed in June.

Hawthorn has locked him in again. Gunston signed a one-year extension in July to play an 18th AFL season, AFL.com.au reported.

Finals have suited him too. He kicked five goals when Hawthorn beat Adelaide by 34 points in the semifinal in September 2025. This September, Hawthorn beat Fremantle — the minor premier, the team that finished top of the home-and-away ladder — by 32 points in a finals-series boilover.

For fans, this means something simple. Hawthorn has speed and youth around him. Gunston gives them calm. He reads the drop of the ball. He kicks straight. In September, that counts double.

What makes this stand out is the timing. Most forwards fade in their 30s. Gunston got better. The Hawks will hope he has one more big bag left in him.