Three-time premiership forward Jack Gunston says Hawthorn’s season is still on track despite last weekend’s loss to North Melbourne.
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The Hawks entered Sunday’s clash as favourites but were obliterated by the Kangaroos’ fierce pressure at the contest and trailed by 57 points at half-time.
Isaac Smith led a second-half fightback but the Kangaroos ran out 28-point winners.
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“They had it on their terms in the first half and their pressure was elite and they were able to hit the scoreboard and nullify any of our attacking options or threats,” Gunston said.
“In a way it’s pleasing to see us come back in the second half - we didn’t roll over, we’re a proud group and we wanted to get something out of the game.
“We had our chances to win but probably weren’t able to be as polished on the day in the last quarter.”
Hawthorn’s next challenge will be to turn the tables on an improving St Kilda side that drew with GWS last round.
The two sides met in UTAS Stadium’s AFL opener last season, with the Saints ending a 19-game winning streak at the venue by recording a 75-point victory.
Gunston said his side was well-placed to win UTAS’ debut night fixture despite last year’s result.
“We’ve started the season pleasingly, going into last week we were in a good spot and probably let a game slip that we really would have liked to have won but we’re 3-2 and we’ve played some really good footy.
“We’ve let ourselves down in certain quarters in games and that’s cost us in the long run especially against North and Richmond.
“So if we can fix those areas and keep playing the brand of footy we want to play, there’s no doubt we can continue winning games and put ourselves in a good spot come the end of the season.”
One of the positives to come out of last round was the form of small forward Luke Breust, who kicked a season-high five goals to be the Hawks’ best in defeat.
Gunston said he was not surprised to see his golfing partner sitting equal third in the Coleman Medal rankings with a tally of 16.
“He’s a quality player and he’s an All-Australian a few years back so we know the talent he’s got.
“By all reports last year everyone had a quiet season, we were a pretty poor side until the second half of the year but he’s come out, he’s lethal from the set shot and he’s getting back to that All-Australian form which is pleasing to see.”