AFL: Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston won’t play against Adelaide as he mourns his father Ray’s sudden death

Family, not football, is the priority for Jack Gunston this week after the sudden death of his father and former AFL executive Ray.

Jack Gunston will miss this week’s match against Adelaide as he mourns the sudden death of his father, Ray. Picture: Getty Images

Star forward Jack Gunston will miss Hawthorn’s clash with Adelaide on Sunday as he mourns the sudden death of his father and former AFL executive Ray.

There is also mixed news on the injury front for the Hawks, who regain skipper Ben McEvoy from a neck fracture but ruled out James Worpel (shoulder) and Lachie Bramble (bone stress in back) for the season.

Gunston and Hawthorn made a mutual decision that he would sit out the match as he focuses on his family and preparing for his father’s funeral next week after he died on Tuesday morning from a heart attack.

Coach Sam Mitchell said it was a “really difficult time” but that Gunston’s teammates and coaches would support him in whatever way necessary.

“We’ve spoken to Jack and a few of the players went and visited him but it’s a really difficult (one) … how do you want to be treated in such a situation?” Mitchell said.

Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston is mourning the sudden death of his father, Ray. Picture: Alison Wynd

“I think the most important thing is he knows that he’s got the full support of our football program, our football club and our bigger, wider community.

“It’s a really important time to be with your family (including) Mandy, his mum, and Kate, his sister. They’re all going through it together and it’s just such a horrible, out-of-nowhere situation for them.

“The Gunston family has been such a big part of Hawthorn for such a long time.

“We had our Mother’s Day function not long ago and Mandy was talking about how Ray was really Jack’s rock ... so it’s a difficult time but he needs to be with his family at the moment.”

McEvoy last played in round 2 after injuring his neck in a training incident the following week but avoided surgery and completed an extensive rehabilitation program.

Ben McEvoy will play his first match in almost four months this weekend. Picture: Michael Klein

Mitchell said McEvoy’s game time would not be limited and there was no thought of him resuming in the VFL.

“It’s brilliant to see. I think everyone walks a little bit taller when he’s out there,” he said.

“There’s this great feeling, not just because it’s Ben McEvoy and he’s back and he’s the captain of the club, but also what we’ve seen him go through.

“You will have seen little bits and pieces of him doing some strange exercises – trying to strengthen his neck with towels around his head – and we throw around ‘inspirational’ for lots of stories, but it’s genuinely inspirational how he’s gone about it.

James Worpel will miss the rest of the season after suffering a shoulder injury in last week’s loss to Greater Western Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

“Early on, he’s on an elliptical in a hard neck brace, then he’s doing agility work and running laps with a neck brace.”

The Hawks have lost five games in a row since their upset victory over Brisbane and 11 of their past 13, with Mitchell saying they were overdue to get some reward for the progress they feel they had made.

“(Last week’s loss to the Giants) was difficult to stomach post-game,” he said.

“Our fans deserve to see really strong football and to see wins and sing the theme song and it’s been a little bit too long since we’ve had the ability to do that.

“You’re trying to (win) every week, but at the moment, it probably feels like it’s a little bit more important.”

Originally published as AFL: Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston won’t play against Adelaide as he mourns his father Ray’s sudden death