Hawthorn says Jack Gunston's six-goal haul won’t be a factor in Jarryd Roughead selection discussions

Hawthorn says Jack Gunston’s six-goal haul against Port Adelaide has not posed a setback to the possible return of former skipper Jarryd Roughead.

Ben Stratton leads Hawthorn off after its victory over Port Adelaide. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says Jack Gunston’s bag of six goals against Port Adelaide in Launceston was not a setback for the return of former skipper Jarryd Roughead to the Hawks side.

Gunston gave Hawthorn exactly what it needed — a go-to forward who can damage the opposition and pile on scoreboard pressure — in the Hawks’ 31-point win.

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In a roundabout way, Clarkson said it was time Gunston delivered.

“He’s been playing OK but he just hasn’t converted the chances he’s had, or he’s had to play different roles at different stages for us,” Clarkson said.

“We’ve taken him down back and put him on a wing at times, he’s such a flexible player.

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“Today he was probably the difference between the two sides in terms of being able to get his hands on the footy and then convert opportunities.

“On a pretty grubby day, his polish with the ball in the front third of the ground was pretty important for us in securing the victory.”

Jack Gunston celebrates one of his six goals in Hawthorn’s victory over Port Adelaide. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

Roughead’s return was not hurt by Gunston’s heroics and the veteran forward remains in the mix to play against Brisbane next week before the Hawks have a bye.

“They are unrelated,” Clarkson said.

“We don’t care who kicks the goals as long as the team does.

“It’s great Jack kicked six and we’re glad he had the polish to get the job done.

“We kicked 12.8 and Port kicked 6.13, so in the end we only just snuck in front of them in terms of inside 50s but we were able to convert our chances.

“It was probably a reflection of the pressure that we were able to apply to Port Adelaide that forced them to kick inaccurately, but one guy kicked six goals on a day where there were only 18 goals scored _ that was a pretty significant.”

Ben Stratton leads Hawthorn off after its victory over Port Adelaide. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

Hawthorn went into the game bracing itself for Port Adelaide’s pressure.

“The conditions weren’t conducive to playing free-flowing footy and Port Adelaide has been good in that space on days when you consider it to be dirty footy,” Clarkson said.

“So that was the pleasing part of the game that we were at least able to match Port Adelaide in that part of the game.”

Young gun Jack Scrimshaw injured his left knee early in the third term and did not return to the game.

Clarkson said it was precautionary and the defender would have scans on Sunday.