AFL 2024: Hawthorn yet to decide on Jack Gunston, Luke Breust futures
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has made an assurance to his former teammates as the club decides on their futures.
AFL
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The futures of Hawthorn veterans Luke Breust and Jack Gunston are up in the air but coach Sam Mitchell says he will ensure decisions are made with “grace”.
Mitchell said talks would begin with his former premiership teammates over the next fortnight as the Hawks start to plan their list for next season amid an ongoing push for finals.
Breust has booted eight goals in his last three games after overcoming a groin injury that limited his impact in the first half of the season.
The 33-year-old’s cards looked marked after he appeared for six consecutive weeks as Hawthorn’s sub, but he has thrived off faster ball movement in the past month working with the Hawks’ fleet of young small forwards.
Gunston, 32, has not played since round 17 but on Friday was under consideration for a role in the crucial clash against GWS in Canberra.
“We haven’t come to any decisions as to list management just yet and had a chat to those guys … that’s coming over the next couple of weeks,” Mitchell said.
“I think (football boss) Rob McCartney and (list boss) Mark McKenzie really take control of that part of the club and try to have an assessment on what we look like for next year.
“I think they have been great stalwarts of the club and premiership players. Whenever it is, we’ll make sure we exit them with grace.”
Gunston kicked three goals in Hawthorn’s six-point win over the Giants in round 13 and had an important role keeping star interceptor Sam Taylor occupied, with Mitchell saying he would consider revisiting that match-up.
“(Gunston) has still been training and I think at his age and experience, he’s still adding enormous value to what we do,” the coach said.
“He’s been sitting in the coaches’ box with the headset on and still been able to help us.
“If he does end up playing this week, I think he’s been doing all the work and we know he’ll be able to run out the game if that’s what’s required.”
Almost every game since July has resembled somewhat of an elimination final for Hawthorn due its torrid 0-5 start to the season, and Mitchell suggested the pressure could be accelerating the development of his young players.
“We’ve been in a block where every game has just been so important. When you’ve got a young side, you’re trying to get different experiences into them, you’re trying to learn as much as you can as quickly as you can,” he said.
“Games that really matter are hugely valuable for your group, and because every game is keeping our season alive … we’re going to have to keep winning, and against a team in front of us on the ladder, it gives us a chance to make up some more ground.”
Originally published as AFL 2024: Hawthorn yet to decide on Jack Gunston, Luke Breust futures
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