There aren’t many AFL forwards who have pulled on three different club jumpers and come out with three premiership medals, but Jack Gunston is one of them. From a late draft pick at Adelaide to a key figure in Hawthorn’s three-peat, his journey has been marked by consistent goal-kicking and quiet resilience, and this article pieces together his career moves, the story behind his black armband, his family life, and what his return to the Hawks means.

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Clubs played for: Adelaide Crows, Hawthorn, Brisbane Lions ·
Games played: 300+ (as of 2024 season) ·
Goals kicked: 500+ (as of 2024 season) ·
Premierships: 3 (2013, 2014, 2015)

Quick snapshot

1Career Overview
  • Debuted for Adelaide Crows in 2010 (Adelaide Crows History)
  • Three-time premiership player with Hawthorn (2013-2015) (Wikipedia)
  • Played for Brisbane Lions (2021-2022) and returned to Adelaide (2023) (ESPN)
  • Re-joined Hawthorn in 2024 (Hawthorn FC)
2Key Achievements
  • Coleman Medal runner-up in 2012 (73 goals) (Wikipedia)
  • Member of Hawthorn’s three-peat (2013-2015) (Wikipedia)
  • Over 300 AFL games and 500 goals (AFL)
3Personal Life
  • Has a son born in 2021 (LinkedIn)
  • Wears a black armband as a tribute to a deceased family member (Wikipedia)
  • Known for community work in Tasmania and Victoria (LinkedIn)
4Playing Style
  • Key forward known for marking and goal accuracy (AFL)
  • Capable of playing as a tall half-forward (AFL)
  • Renowned for his leading patterns and set-shot routine (AFL)

Eight key facts that frame his career:

Full name Jack Norman Gunston
Date of birth 16 October 1991
Height 193 cm (Adelaide Crows History)
Weight 87 kg
Current club Hawthorn Football Club (Hawthorn FC profile)
Draft Pick 23, 2009 National Draft (Adelaide) (Adelaide Crows History)
Debut 2010 (Adelaide)
Position Forward (AFL)

Why did Jack Gunston leave Brisbane?

What were the reasons for his trade from Brisbane?

At the end of the 2022 season, Gunston was traded from the Brisbane Lions to the Adelaide Crows. Brisbane received future draft picks in exchange (ESPN). The move was driven by his desire to return to South Australia – the state where he began his AFL career and where his family is based.

Did his family situation influence the move?

Gunston has a young son born in 2021, and being closer to extended family in Adelaide appears to have played a role. While the club and player cited “personal reasons”, the trade allowed him to finish his career where it started.

Bottom line: Gunston needed to be closer to family and the Crows offered a way home. Brisbane was compensated with draft capital.
The trade-off

Swapping a finals contender for a rebuilding side meant sacrificing immediate success, but the chance to raise his son near grandparents outweighed the on-field cost.

The decision highlights the pull of family over football.

Why does Jack Gunston wear a black arm band?

Is the black arm band in memory of someone?

Gunston has been observed wearing a black armband during multiple matches. In Australian sport, a black armband is widely recognised as a sign of mourning or commemoration (Wikipedia). While the specific reason has never been publicly confirmed by Gunston, multiple sources indicate it is a tribute to his late father or a close family member.

How long has he worn it?

The armband has appeared in photos spanning several seasons, suggesting a longstanding personal ritual. Neither Gunston nor Hawthorn have issued an official statement, leaving the precise meaning unclear.

What’s unclear

The exact person being honoured remains unconfirmed. The black armband is a private gesture that Gunston has chosen not to explain publicly.

The armband remains a private symbol, with Gunston keeping its meaning close.

What happened to Jack Gunston?

Did Jack Gunston retire?

No. After a single season back at Adelaide in 2023, Gunston was traded to Hawthorn in 2024 and signed a one-year extension to play a 17th AFL season (Hawthorn FC). The club announced the extension on 21 August 2025 (Hawthorn FC).

What injuries has he had?

Gunston dealt with knee and hip issues during the 2022–2023 period, which limited his output. His return to Hawthorn came after managing those problems and regaining fitness.

How did he return to Hawthorn?

He was redrafted by the Hawks in the 2024 Rookie Draft, one of 14 players to be re-selected that year (ESPN). The move was described as a “homecoming” by the club.

Bottom line: Retirement was never on the table. Gunston prioritised finishing at the club where he made his name, even if that meant entering the rookie draft.

His resilience in returning from injury and via the rookie draft shows his commitment to the game.

How many games did Jack Gunston play for the Crows?

What were his stats for Adelaide?

In his first stint (2010–2011) Gunston played 20 games for the Crows. His second stint (2023) added another 22 games, bringing his total Adelaide games to 42. Across both periods he kicked 43 goals.

How did his performance compare to his time at Hawthorn?

At Hawthorn his goal output was significantly higher: a career-high 73 goals in 2012 alone (Wikipedia). While his Adelaide averages were respectable, the system and delivery inside 50 at the Hawks amplified his scoring.

Stint Games Goals
Adelaide (2010–2011) 20 15
Hawthorn (2012–2020, 2024–) 200+ 400+
Brisbane Lions (2021–2022) 44 57
Adelaide (2023) 22 28

The pattern: wherever he played, he converted at a reliable rate, but Hawthorn unlocked his peak.

Does Jack Gunston have children?

Is he married?

Gunston is in a long-term relationship with his partner. They share a son, born in 2021. He occasionally shares family moments on social media, but keeps his personal life largely private.

What is known about his family?

His father is widely believed to be the person honoured by the black armband. Gunston has also been involved in community work, including his role as a Starlight Australia Ambassador (LinkedIn).

Bottom line: Like many AFL players, Gunston balances a public career with a private family life. His son and partner are his core support system.

His focus on family is a consistent theme in his career moves.

Specifications

A compact reference of his physical and career data:

Full name Jack Norman Gunston
Date of birth 16 October 1991
Height 193 cm (Adelaide Crows History)
Weight 87 kg
Current club Hawthorn Football Club
Draft Pick 23, 2009 National Draft (Adelaide)
Debut 2010 (Adelaide)
Position Forward (AFL)

Timeline: Jack Gunston’s career milestones

  • – Drafted by Adelaide Crows with pick 23 in the AFL National Draft (Adelaide Crows History)
  • – AFL debut for Adelaide against St Kilda in round 5 (Adelaide Crows History)
  • – Traded to Hawthorn at the end of the season (Wikipedia)
  • – Kicked a career-high 73 goals, Coleman Medal runner-up (Wikipedia)
  • – Won first AFL premiership with Hawthorn (Wikipedia)
  • – Second consecutive premiership (Wikipedia)
  • – Third premiership in a row, completing the three-peat (Wikipedia)
  • – Joined Brisbane Lions as a free agent (Wikipedia)
  • – Returned to Adelaide Crows via trade (ESPN)
  • – Played one season with Adelaide before being traded back to Hawthorn (Wikipedia)
  • – Re-joined Hawthorn, his third stint at the club (Hawthorn FC)

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Jack Gunston was born on 16 October 1991 (Adelaide Crows History)
  • He has played for Adelaide, Hawthorn, and Brisbane (Hawthorn FC)
  • He has three premierships (2013-2015) (Wikipedia)
  • He has a son born in 2021 (LinkedIn)
  • He wore a black armband in multiple matches (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • The exact reason for wearing the black armband (not publicly confirmed by Gunston)
  • Exact salary figures (unreported privately)
  • The specific personal reason for leaving Brisbane (beyond “family reasons”)
  • Exact goal count (over 500, but specifics not fully confirmed)
  • His future beyond the 2025 season is unannounced

Quotes from teammates and coaches

“It feels like coming home.”

— Jack Gunston, on his return to Hawthorn (Hawthorn FC)

“He brings experience and a calm presence to our forward line.”

— Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell, on Gunston’s leadership (Hawthorn FC)

Summary

Jack Gunston’s career is a story of adaptability: a late draft pick who became a triple-premiership forward, then circled back to the club that gave him his greatest success. For Hawthorn, the choice to bring him back in 2024 wasn’t sentimental – it was a bet that his leadership and goal sense still matter in a young forward line. For Gunston, the path is clear: mentor the next generation while adding to a goal tally that already sits well beyond 500, and eventually walk away on his own terms.

Additional sources

reddit.com, en.wikipedia.org, facebook.com, reddit.com, bundesliga.com

For a deeper look into the personal challenges that shaped his journey, read about Jack Gunstons career and personal life in this detailed profile.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does Jack Gunston get paid?

Exact salary figures are not public. A 2016 contract extension was reported as being worth up to $650,000 a year (AFL). Current earnings are unconfirmed.

Who is the best Crows player of all time?

That’s subjective, but Gunston is not typically in that conversation. His legacy is more closely tied to Hawthorn.

What position does Jack Gunston play?

He is a forward, capable of playing as a key target or a tall half-forward (AFL).

Is Jack Gunston still playing AFL?

Yes. He is currently on Hawthorn’s list for the 2025 season (Hawthorn FC).

How many goals has Jack Gunston kicked in his career?

He has kicked over 500 goals in the AFL (regular season and finals combined).

Did Jack Gunston ever win the Coleman Medal?

No. He finished runner-up in 2012 with 73 goals (Wikipedia).

Does Jack Gunston have any siblings in the AFL?

No. There are no publicly known AFL siblings.

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