Coleman Medal

Jack Gunston is defying the odds in the twilight of his career, proving that even with age, a champion can still shine. At 33, the veteran forward has been in sensational form for Hawthorn, putting together a career-best start to the 2025 season. Despite the Hawks’ forward line struggling in the absence of key players like Mitch Lewis and Calsher Dear, Gunston has stepped up as a focal point of attack, contributing 17 goals in just five games and climbing to equal seventh on the Coleman Medal leaderboard.

His standout performance came in Hawthorn’s dominant 50-point victory over the Eagles at Marvel Stadium, where he kicked four goals and made 12 score involvements. This success follows a surprising journey: after being delisted at the end of 2024, Gunston was reselected in the Pre-Season Draft and recalled to the senior side after missing the first two rounds. Since then, he has not only provided crucial goals but also mentored the team’s younger stars like Nick Watson and Jack Ginnivan.

Gunston’s remarkable resurgence highlights that you can’t write off seasoned players, even in the later stages of their careers. With his 500th career goal now within reach, he remains a critical piece of Hawthorn’s forward line, helping the team find its rhythm as they move forward in the 2025 season.