Jack Gunston’s emotional tribute to dad the driver for move to the Brisbane Lions

Brisbane recruit Jack Gunston has opened up on how his father’s passing in 2022 helped shape the former Hawthorn star’s decision to head to the Lions.

Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

When Jack Gunston made the decision that could shape Brisbane’s premiership destiny this year he knew he would be instructed by his father’s guidance.

The Hawthorn star and his AFL executive father Ray had plotted every twist and turn of his impending decision before the 64-year-old passed away of a shock heart attack in July last year.

Jack Gunston pays tribute to his dad following Ray Gunston’s shock passing. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Ray Gunston was a negotiator, mentor and confidante of so many industry figures as he brokered pay deals, saved footy through Covid and helped balance the AFL’s books.

Yet as Jack finally chose to leave Hawthorn it was the emotional aftermath of his death as much as the hard-headed advice ringing in his ears that proved a decisive factor.

Nearly eight months on from his father’s sudden passing Gunston sits in a Fox Footy green room between promo shots pondering how new beginnings finally saw him move north.

“It probably sneaks up on you at random times,” he says of remembering father Ray.

“You hear a song and it is a trigger there. That was part of the reason why I did go to Brisbane. He has been a great support for me and he was at every game and never missed.

“There were a lot of triggers for me, going back to the MCG or going back to Tassie.

“This opportunity came up and it was a great chance for myself and mum (Mandy) and my (Kate) sister to create new memories … And new triggers.

Jack Gunston’s late father Ray with his mum Mandy..

“He was someone I was always talking to about my footy career so he wouldn’t be shocked to see me in Brisbane colours right now but it has been hard not to call him on the first day or have a text after the game saying how I went.

“I am trying to deal with it as best I can but I just know he always had a smile on his face when I played footy so it’s what I play for.

“He is definitely missed. He did a lot of work around the AFL world and a lot of work he never told anyone about. He worked very hard on those CBAs (collective bargaining agreements) so he’s definitely missed and he’s not forgotten. He’s still thought about every day.

“It’s still new in that first year where it’s a year of firsts. And it’s always tough. Hopefully I can keep making him proud.”

Only Jack and Ray would know from those discussions how the string of negative headlines these past years at Hawthorn - and the resulting instability - influenced his decision to move on.

But this was not about deserting a sinking ship to bask in the sun-drenched Brisbane premiership window.

Leading to Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley, Hugh McCluggage and Will Ashcroft might well appeal.

Yet Gunston, 31, is a huge admirer of Sam Mitchell’s coaching at a club he truly believes can make immediate progress.

Jack Gunston in his first hitout in a Brisbane jumper against Sydney. Picture: Phil Hillyard

In the end his heart just told him it was time for a fresh start, the second of his career after a move back from Adelaide that garnered him three premierships under Alastair Clarkson.

“I feel really good about it. It’s a different lifestyle but it’s ticked every box I wanted to tick,” he says.

“I just felt it was the right time. I didn’t know if someone in footy would tell me it was the right time. I spoke to a lot of people and got their advice and opinions and I wanted to continue to play the best footy I can and finish my career on a high and get the best out of myself.“

Brisbane was the obvious fit given former Hawks staffer Chris Fagan’s status as coach and Dan McStay’s move to Collingwood.

And Gunston will be so much more than a hired gun, set to be a valuable sounding board for an entire forward line and his coach in a year of significant expectation.

“Firstly he just wants me to perform and then it’s just a lot of leadership and experience,” Gunston said.

“The forward line is young and has never really had an older forward there. They don’t need me to tell them what to do. I can help with a bit of structure and advice. “That is all we need. Fages doesn’t need me to do anything out of the ordinary. Just be the wise head out there.”

During a recent intra-club as the midfielders fired away with deep bombs inside 50 Fagan blew his whistle and offered some sage advice.

Says Gunston when prompted: “I was doing a lot of leads and I think I lead pretty strongly at the football and that’s what I do well rather than the contested marking and I was constantly leading and it was getting overlooked.

“’Fages’ pointed it out but it’s just those guys not playing with my type of player. It was about those midfielders lowering their eyes rather than going long. When footballers talk about chemistry it’s true. It takes some time. It’s the beauty of intraclubs. You can do that trying to get ready for round 1.”

Jack Gunston is a three time Hawthorn premiership player and proven performer on the big stage.

As a proven grand final performer with 12 majors in four contests there is little pressure to define his legacy on triple flag hero Gunston.

His message to his new teammates has been simple as they strive for that elusive flag —agonising finals losses get you closer to premiership success not further away.

“Before I got to Hawthorn they lost a prelim and then we lost in a grand final in 2012. More often than not you have to be there for a while to win a premiership. Brisbane have the list to do it but I don’t agree that if it’s not this year it can’t be next year.

“There is a lot of young talent, a lot of good young kids and their older core are only 23-25. The list is in great shape and I don’t think this year is the be-all or end-all.”

Why Gunston supports Hawk trade moves

Jack Gunston believes he still has at least three more seasons in his 31-year-old body, adamant he didn’t jump a sinking ship to go flag-hunting at Brisbane.

The brilliant triple premiership Hawk is the perfect addition to the Brisbane forward line and is hopeful he can impart the wisdom garnered from his seasons alongside Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli.

But while Gunston’s departure for Brisbane came only days before Hawthorn moved on fellow veterans Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara, he doesn’t feel those decisions justified his move.

While he watched the dramatic moves with interest Gunston was aware he was always a chance to be the first domino that fell in a trade period where the Hawks moved on senior players for an influx of young talent.

Jack Gunston in action at Lions training. Picture: Getty Images

An unabashed admirer of Sam Mitchell, he simply believed playing at Brisbane could extend his career and maximise his ability to get the most out of himself.

Gunston has signed a two-year deal with a third-year trigger and has enjoyed a flawless summer that has him ideally placed for another excellent year.

Speaking publicly for the first time since starting his pre-season at Brisbane, Gunston said his move north had been everything he hoped it would be.

“It is obviously a big move and it was a big decision but I just felt it was the right time. I wanted to continue playing the best footy I can and wanted to finish the career on a high getting the most out of myself,” he told the Herald Sun.

“I would love to win another flag but it’s not why I went up here. I went up to be the best footballer I could be and the Lions gave me that opportunity.

“If a flag comes it comes, and Brisbane are talking as if they want to be right up there at the end as they were last year. They are really determined and hungry to continue their progression through finals.”

Gunston and O’Meara are both now former Hawks. Picture: Getty Images

While Hawthorn’s decision to move on Mitchell and O’Meara was 12 months in the making, Gunston was still taken aback when it actually happened.

“I was watching it in shock as well. Maybe it was one domino that fell so they thought it is time to fully (rebuild). But Sam is a well organised person and well planned and they have lots of talent, so they will surprise and they will be in a lot of games this year.

“I was watching as much as anyone else seeing how it happened and how it was unfolding.

“Speaking to Luke Breust and ‘Sic’ (James Sicily) there are a lot of new faces and a lot of our mates have been split up but that’s footy.

“I remember waking up one morning and Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis had been traded and that is when I realised nothing was going to surprise me again. Everyone saw last year Tom and Jaeger were playing out (of) position a few times and Liam (Shiels) wasn’t getting a game and Ben (McEvoy) retired so it all just happened naturally. It wasn’t about getting rid of everyone. It just unfolded.”

Gunston was a popular figure at the Hawks. Picture: Getty Images

Gunston played only a single game in 2021 given ongoing back issues and while he missed six games with an ankle injury in a 32-goal, 16-game season last year, he ended the season with real momentum.

“The back was really good. I was really happy to get through the back half of the year and this pre-season,” he said.

“To be honest I don’t worry about it, I have to stay on top of it and the body is feeling really good. Hopefully with the Brisbane heat I can punch out a few more years. I am open to whatever

“I am 31 and have a locked-in two years to prove myself and then I will see where we are at after that and I am one of those guys who just loves playing footy so if I am performing I will keep going.”