Gunston sinks seven as Hawks hammer hapless Roos
Ethan James |
Veteran Jack Gunston has kicked a career-best seven goals as Hawthorn thrashed North Melbourne by 85 points to jump into the AFL top four.
The 23.12 (150) to 9.11 (65) victory at University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston on Saturday was the Hawks’ third in a row and ninth in succession at the ground.
Hawthorn increased their lead at each change against a North Melbourne outfit coming off an upset win over Carlton.
The 33-year-old Gunston was in the thick of the action, with a one-handed pick-up in traffic in the goal square in the third quarter a highlight.
He surpassed his previous best of six goals midway through the final term when he slotted a set shot from outside 50.
“I’m rapt for him because he has put in an enormous amount of work without reward,” Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said.
“Everyone was very well versed that he hadn’t kicked seven before. They were pretty happy for him when he did get there.”
Gunston was well supported by Mabior Chol, who equalled his career-best goal haul with five.
The former Gold Coast Sun had a stellar moment in the third quarter, chasing down Zac Fisher to earn a free kick before slotting a major from outside 50 on the sideline.
Hawthorn’s Lloyd Meek outpointed Tristan Xerri with 37 hitouts to 31, with his side winning the clearances 44-30 and inside-50s 63-40.
North Melbourne young gun George Wardlaw was subbed out of the game in the second quarter after suffering another concussion when he collided with the shoulder of Conor Nash.
The 21-year-old missed several games last season due to concussions suffered at training and during games.
Under concussion protocols, he will be sidelined for the club’s 100th birthday celebration fixture against the Western Bulldogs on Thursday.
After improved defensive showings in recent weeks, it was the Kangaroos’ biggest loss this season and the second-most points they have conceded.
Hawthorn have now won six of their past seven games against North Melbourne, including a 124-point rout in round 23 last season.
“We got smacked in a part of the game we’ve been pretty strong at,” Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson said.
“They won the stoppage battle early and had us on the back foot. They were just a lot slicker, they were kicking goals from everywhere.”
Keen to make amends for sluggish openings in their previous two games in Tasmania this season, Hawthorn came flying out of the blocks.
They dominated inside-50s 19-9 and clearances 17-8 in the first quarter, kicking five straight goals, but went somewhat off the boil with five straight behinds after that.
Ahead 35-15 after the first change, Hawthorn piled on more pain in an eight-goals-to-three second term.
Nick Larkey picked up five goals for North Melbourne, while teammate Colby McKercher was the best possession-getter for the game with 34.
AAP
