Jack Gunston happy with decision to move from Hawks to Lions

The addition of an ex-Hawthorn star to Brisbane’s squad is set to prove crucial to the Lions’ hopes of winning their first AFL premiership since 2003.

Former Hawthorn star Jack Gunston is set to shine for the Lions. Picture: Dylan Burns / AFL Photos via Getty Images

Former Hawthorn star Jack Gunston is hoping to fly “under the radar” in Brisbane’s talented forward line and has dismissed suggestions he and fellow new recruit Josh Dunkley are the final pieces in the Lions’ AFL premiership puzzle.

Gunston, 31, is enjoying life in Brisbane since linking with the Lions in the off-season after an 11-year stint with Hawthorn which included three flags.

The Lions are desperate to cash in during their open “premiership window” with their recruitment of Gunston and ex-Western Bulldogs star Dunkley regarded by many as the key to turning Brisbane from contenders into premiers.

“I’ve read it, but we don’t feel any of that pressure,” Gunston said.

“We’ve just come here to keep playing footy. I guess we’ve both come for different reasons, but that’s all outside noise for us.

“It doesn’t feel like that. It just feels like we’ve come into a great environment, a successful environment, a team that has been ticking off things over the last few years, whether it’s (winning at) the MCG, winning finals, and we’re just here to be a part of that and hopefully, keep ticking off a few more.”

Jack Gunston is ready for his first AFL season with the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Gunston is part of a star-studded arsenal of Brisbane forwards which also includes Joe Daniher, Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood and Linc McCarthy, as well as versatile pair Zac Bailey and Cam Rayner.

“Hopefully (I can) go under the radar a little bit. You’ve got Joe and you got ‘Hippy’ there but you’ve also got Charlie and Zac Bailey and others going through there – it’s a pretty dangerous forward line,” he said.

“There are a lot of scoring targets and a lot of flare up there, so I’m looking forward to just being a part of it and seeing what comes of it.”

Despite having just joined the club, Gunston is in strong contention to be part of the Lions’ leadership group, as well as a slim chance to take over the captaincy role, vacated last week by Dayne Zorko.

“Naturally for me, I was a leader at Hawthorn for six to eight years, and whether it’s a title or not, for me it’s not going to change,” he said.

“I want to come here and help the guys and impart some wisdom that I’ve learned over my 13 years (in the AFL) and whether that’s with a title or not, it’s not going to change how I go about things.

“The leaders of this footy club have been pretty set for a few years, and there’s a lot of young guys that are also striving to come through.

“It’s been great to work with them, talk to them, give them feedback, and we’ll see how that (leadership) vote pans out.”

After two intra-club trials in the past two weeks, the Lions on Friday meet AFL opposition for the first time this pre-season when they take on the Swans in a practice match in Sydney.

“It’s just good to play against other opponents instead of yourselves. We’ve got Sydney and then we’ve got Geelong (next Thursday), so it’s a perfect way to go into the season,” Gunston said.