Unofficial Preview Round 1, 2024: Bombers v Hawks, MCG 1:10pm Sat 16th March

[H00t]

I think that is an overly pessimistic take. I doubt we would have added him to the list if we did not think that he could contribute on the field. If we just wanted him as a mentor, we could have hired him in that capacity. My read is that he is being eased in (which is often the way for veterans during the pre-season) but that he will be given every opportunity to resume the third marking forward role that he played with such distinction in the past.

Still had a contract with Lions didn’t he?

I have no doubt the team will attempt to give him every opportunity to make the team and perform.

He’s slowed up a lot though and really struggling to get the same separation he was. Still a smart footballer and with our lack of 3rd forward options I expect he will get games.

Just won’t be anything like the Gunston pre injury,

 

[Brant]

Still had a contract with Lions didn’t he?
I have no doubt the team will attempt to give him every opportunity to make the team and perform.
He’s slowed up a lot though and really struggling to get the same separation he was. Still a smart footballer and with our lack of 3rd forward options I expect he will get games.

Just won’t be anything like the Gunston pre injury,

that's my concern.

Can't get separation & can't chase/tackle.

In saying that, he's probs smarter than ever & will get more wiley.

Whilst the reports say he moving well, I'll keep the faith.

 

[Slainte]

that's my concern.

Can't get separation & can't chase/tackle.

In saying that, he's probs smarter than ever & will get more wiley.

Whilst the reports say he moving well, I'll keep the faith.

Gunston was never super-quick, which is not to say that he was slow - but he was no speedster. His key attributes have always been his abiliy to read the play, his marking and his kicking. He often gets separation when the third defensive tall goes to a contest to play a third up role and Gunston just slips away. The ball spills and he is either on his own or in an asymmetrical contest if a Hawthorn player snaffles the crumbs. Lewis and Chol are both big and strong overhead. I can see plenty of third up scenarios with Gunston being the beneficiary. If he starts to score in such circumstances, his opponent may be instructed not to go third up. If this is the case, we still win. Chol or Lewis get a one on one, most of which they will win.

 

[peetoo]

Gunston as your 7th fwd in the listed 23? How can that be fail?

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Gunston was struggling with separation before he left for the Lions. I can only hope he finds something to recapture his youth, but I think he’s going to only be a bit part player for us in 2024.

 

[Bugs1977]

that's my concern.

Can't get separation & can't chase/tackle.

In saying that, he's probs smarter than ever & will get more wiley.

Whilst the reports say he moving well, I'll keep the faith.

Gunners issues started in 2019 and hasn't really been the same since he started having issues with Iliotibial band syndrome (ITB). It was around about this time that his set shot for goal also really started to take a dip after being a deadeye dick for the majority of his career. After the ITB multiple injuries then occurred (ie ankle rolls, hamstring strains, calf strains, groin etc) which then led to the back surgery in 2021. It's no his fault but IMO it's clear as day that father time who remains undefeated is tapping him on the shoulder pointing towards the finish line so ANYTHING we get from him here on out is a blessing.

Gunston to miss Blues clash

Jack Gunston will be held out of the practice match against Carlton on Thursday night.

www.hawthornfc.com.au

 

[extractasam]

Gunners issues started in 2019 and hasn't really been the same since he started having issues with Iliotibial band syndrome (ITB). It was around about this time that his set shot for goal also really started to take a dip after being a deadeye dick for the majority of his career. After the ITB multiple injuries then occurred (ie ankle rolls, hamstring strains, calf strains, groin etc) which then led to the back surgery in 2021. It's no his fault but IMO it's clear as day that father time who remains undefeated is tapping him on the shoulder pointing towards the finish line so ANYTHING we get from him here on out is a blessing.

View attachment 1887763

Gunston to miss Blues clash

Jack Gunston will be held out of the practice match against Carlton on Thursday night.

www.hawthornfc.com.au

He’s felt fairly out of form in those periods you highlighted yet still managed to average 2 goals a game.

If we could get 30 goals in 15 games from him then we’ll take it.

 

[cryptor]

Gunners issues started in 2019 and hasn't really been the same since he started having issues with Iliotibial band syndrome (ITB). It was around about this time that his set shot for goal also really started to take a dip after being a deadeye dick for the majority of his career. After the ITB multiple injuries then occurred (ie ankle rolls, hamstring strains, calf strains, groin etc) which then led to the back surgery in 2021. It's no his fault but IMO it's clear as day that father time who remains undefeated is tapping him on the shoulder pointing towards the finish line so ANYTHING we get from him here on out is a blessing.

View attachment 1887763

Gunston to miss Blues clash

Jack Gunston will be held out of the practice match against Carlton on Thursday night.

www.hawthornfc.com.au

Did well to win that PCM in 2020

 

[MrPremiership]

Gunston was struggling with separation before he left for the Lions. I can only hope he finds something to recapture his youth, but I think he’s going to only be a bit part player for us in 2024.

Think the return is romantic, but some our overlooking his decline. Not to say he can't have value for us, but we need to accept the version of Gunston we have now

In 2022 with us, he kicked 32 goals in 16 games....BUT 20 goals were against bottom 8 sides. 10 against bottom 4 sides.
In 2023 with Brisbane, he kciked 22 goals in 17 games. Of which 13 against bottom 8 sides.

He's been able to fill his boots against poor sides and made his stats look better.

Agree he should be a part player for us in 2024 only. Might play more at the start of the year than in the end.

 

[tl92]

Think the return is romantic, but some our overlooking his decline. Not to say he can't have value for us, but we need to accept the version of Gunston we have now

In 2022 with us, he kicked 32 goals in 16 games....BUT 20 goals were against bottom 8 sides. 10 against bottom 4 sides.
In 2023 with Brisbane, he kciked 22 goals in 17 games. Of which 13 against bottom 8 sides.

He's been able to fill his boots against poor sides and made his stats look better.

Agree he should be a part player for us in 2024 only. Might play more at the start of the year than in the end.

I think you’d find most forwards kick a disproportionate amount of goals against the bad teams. Those numbers don’t look particularly alarming to me. From memory Tex and Curnow kicked huge numbers against eagles and north this year.

Don’t think anyone expects the 3peat Gunston, 20-30 goals would be nice and worst case he provides good depth if Mitch Lewis gets injured, something we lacked last year.

 

[The Spirit of Cricket]

I don't think the club is too worried about Gunston's on-field output anyway. his leadership in a fwd line that's been almost completely revamped will be very helpful in developing our young fwds and implementing Sam's system. and if Gunston recaptures a bit of form then even better. but i think Sam will more be looking for his structure and smarts than the number of goals he kicks

 

[Topiary]

Think the return is romantic, but some our overlooking his decline. Not to say he can't have value for us, but we need to accept the version of Gunston we have now

In 2022 with us, he kicked 32 goals in 16 games....BUT 20 goals were against bottom 8 sides. 10 against bottom 4 sides.
In 2023 with Brisbane, he kciked 22 goals in 17 games. Of which 13 against bottom 8 sides.

He's been able to fill his boots against poor sides and made his stats look better.

Agree he should be a part player for us in 2024 only. Might play more at the start of the year than in the end.

He is far from our future as a player, but as a coach, Sam is keen.

 

[MrPremiership]

He is far from our future as a player, but as a coach, Sam is keen.

Which is fine, but furthers the point the on-field he should only be a part-player for us

 

[barbster]

Which is fine, but furthers the point the on-field he should only be a part-player for us

Perfect sub option for later in the season

 

[MasterSamurai]

With Lewis roaming across CHF and Chol chopping out in the ruck while playing as a extra tall around inside fifty, gunner could be a really good get out option as the deepest frwd which means he doesn't have to run around as a roaming half frwd. This could be a really good positional option going frwd with a mobile forward line ahead of him

 

[Dewwwww]

Our forward line has been kind of non existent the past few years.

Im more than happy to have Gunston back as a spare to come in for 10-13 games when injuries hit so we can still manage to kick a winnable score

 

[Dinsdale]

I am not seeing it. We're 8 weeks from Round 1, he'll likely be back running in another 3 weeks. Plenty of time to get ready for Round 1.

if the leeches do their job he will be running next week

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

With Lewis roaming across CHF and Chol chopping out in the ruck while playing as a extra tall around inside fifty, gunner could be a really good get out option as the deepest frwd which means he doesn't have to run around as a roaming half frwd. This could be a really good positional option going frwd with a mobile forward line ahead of him

Problem is we’re not exactly short of options any more, and we arguably have a number that are better for us to play in the long term.

Would we rather Gunston in the forward pocket or Watson/Butler/Ginnivan or even Ramsden or DGB?

 

[Slainte]

Problem is we’re not exactly short of options any more, and we arguably have a number that are better for us to play in the long term.

Would we rather Gunston in the forward pocket or Watson/Butler/Ginnivan or even Ramsden or DGB?

I don't see Watson, Butler or Ginnivan as the third tall. DGB maybe. Ramsden would be more of a CHF/ruck understudy, IMO. Let's see who is best able to do the third marking forward job. If DGB can keep Gunston out, that is fine by me and bodes well for the longer term future. I would rather not have to wait for Calsher to be ready for the job. However DGB remains a work in progress rather than a best 22 as of now.

 

[The Spirit of Cricket]

Problem is we’re not exactly short of options any more, and we arguably have a number that are better for us to play in the long term.

Would we rather Gunston in the forward pocket or Watson/Butler/Ginnivan or even Ramsden or DGB?

Honestly it sounds like the plan is more for Hardwick to be playing that third forward/lead-up role than any of those players you listed. And Gunston's definitely not keeping Dimma out the side, so hard to see him being a permanent member of our 22. He will definitely get games along the way though

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I don't see Watson, Butler or Ginnivan as the third tall. DGB maybe. Ramsden would be more of a CHF/ruck understudy, IMO. Let's see who is best able to do the third marking forward job. If DGB can keep Gunston out, that is fine by me and bodes well for the longer term future. I would rather not have to wait for Calsher to be ready for the job. However DGB remains a work in progress rather than a best 22 as of now.

I think we might see more smalls than we have in previous years.

A third tall might make way for another pocket who can harass and kick goals.

 

[TylerDurden]

I think we might see more smalls than we have in previous years.

A third tall might make way for another pocket who can harass and kick goals.

Appears to be the plan now.

 

[Bugs1977]

I think we might see more smalls than we have in previous years.

A third tall might make way for another pocket who can harass and kick goals.

I mentioned last month that I think it will dependent on things like the weather. If it’s wet then we’ll likely go with an extra small but if it’s dry then likely the extra tall. The beauty atm is that we have so many extra options and depth up front

 

[MasterSamurai]

Problem is we’re not exactly short of options any more, and we arguably have a number that are better for us to play in the long term.

Would we rather Gunston in the forward pocket or Watson/Butler/Ginnivan or even Ramsden or DGB?

I reckon Ramsden still needs to show some signs of becoming a competent kpf before I add him ahead of that list. DGB is the watch for me, still think he'd be better suited to his original position across chb but could be used as a swingman if called for. Butler is 50/50 as it stands so I still see Gunston as a viable option as a dangerous frwd IF we're looking good for finals but obviously if the season shows that we're still a fair way off by round 7-8, then I'd say go ahead with the youngsters. Then there's Chad!

 

[FB19]

I don't see Watson, Butler or Ginnivan as the third tall. DGB maybe. Ramsden would be more of a CHF/ruck understudy, IMO. Let's see who is best able to do the third marking forward job. If DGB can keep Gunston out, that is fine by me and bodes well for the longer term future. I would rather not have to wait for Calsher to be ready for the job. However DGB remains a work in progress rather than a best 22 as of now.

After all the pre-draft and preseason talk about Watson being too small, he will be thrilled to even be in the conversation for the 3rd tall spot!