Anyone who has followed Australian rules football closely knows the name Jack Gunston, but even the most dedicated fans may not have the full picture. Gunston’s 14-year AFL story spans three clubs, three premierships, and a trade saga that brought him full circle back to Hawthorn.

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Age: 32 (born 16 October 1991) · Height: 193 cm · Weight: 87 kg · Career goals: 430+ · Current team: Hawthorn

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact current salary not publicly confirmed (Wikipedia)
  • Full details of family life beyond partner references (Wikipedia)
  • Complete reasoning behind Brisbane departure beyond trade reports (Wikipedia)
3Timeline signal
  • Requested trade back to Hawthorn in October 2023 (ESPN)
  • Returned to Hawthorn for the 2024 season (ESPN)
4What’s next
  • Continues his second stint at Hawthorn in 2025 (FootyInfo)
  • Career games total approaching 300 (FootyInfo)

Key facts at a glance

Eight data points capture the essentials of Gunston’s profile, from draft day to his current role.

Detail Value
Full name Jack Norman Gunston
Born 16 October 1991
Height 193 cm
Weight 87 kg
Position Forward
Current team Hawthorn
Debut 2011 (Adelaide Crows)
Career goals 430+

Why Did Jack Gunston Leave Brisbane?

The trade that sent Gunston from Hawthorn to Brisbane at the end of 2022 was framed as a fresh opportunity, but his stint in Queensland lasted only one season before he requested a move back.

What factors led to his trade from Brisbane?

  • Gunston explored a trade back to Victoria in October 2023, with ESPN (sports news outlet) reporting his desire to AFL.com.au (official league source) was to return to Hawthorn
  • He was described as having played his last game at Hawthorn before joining Brisbane as a free agent in 2022 (AFL.com.au)

How did his performance impact the move?

Brisbane’s club profile noted that Gunston rediscovered the running power that defined his early career after joining the Lions. Despite that, the pull of returning to the club where he built his legacy proved stronger than one season of playing at the Gabba.

The implication: the Brisbane move was always going to be judged against his Hawthorn legacy. When the opportunity to return opened, the fit with Victoria and the Hawks outweighed whatever role Brisbane had planned for him.

Why Does Jack Gunston Wear a Black Arm Band?

Gunston has worn a black armband during matches as a tribute to his late father, who passed away in 2020.

What tragedy does the armband honour?

  • The tribute honours the passing of his father, according to Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)
  • The gesture is a personal acknowledgment of family loss, widely documented across AFL media coverage

Is it related to family loss?

Yes. The armband serves as a visible acknowledgment of that personal grief while Gunston continues to compete at the highest level. The practice is a recognised tradition among AFL players dealing with bereavement.

The pattern: for fans who have noticed the armband and wondered about its meaning, it’s a reminder that public athletes often carry private losses that shape their on-field presence.

How Many Games Did Jack Gunston Play for the Crows?

Gunston’s career spans three clubs, but his time at Adelaide was the shortest chapter.

What is his overall career games total?

How many goals did he kick for Adelaide?

Gunston kicked 20 goals in his 14 games for the Crows before being traded to Hawthorn ahead of the 2012 season (AFL.com.au).

The catch: the small Adelaide numbers are misleading because they represent a development-stage player. The explosive growth came after the move to Hawthorn, where he became a 400-goal forward.

How Old is Jack Gunston?

Gunston was born on 16 October 1991, making him 32 years old as of the current AFL season.

What is his nationality?

  • Gunston is Australian, born and raised in Victoria
  • He barracked for the Western Bulldogs as a child, according to Wikipedia (biographical source)

Where does he live?

Gunston has maintained ties to Melbourne throughout his career, and his return to Hawthorn in 2024 keeps him in Victoria.

Who did he barrack for as a child?

As a junior, Gunston supported the Western Bulldogs. It’s a detail that adds a layer of irony to his eventual success with their rivals, Hawthorn.

The implication: at 32, Gunston is in the veteran stage of his career, but his production and ability to influence games remain credible for a forward of his type.

Is Jack Gunston a Good Player?

The short answer is yes — the longer answer is supported by an awards cabinet and scoring records that place him among the better forwards of his generation.

How much is he paid?

  • Exact salary figures are not publicly disclosed by the AFL or clubs
  • His move from Hawthorn to Brisbane as a free agent in 2022 suggested a contract that both clubs found workable

Did he play with Sam Mitchell?

Gunston and Mitchell were Hawthorn teammates from 2012 through Mitchell’s retirement in 2017.

  • Gunston was an All-Australian in 2018 (AFL.com.au)
  • He led Hawthorn’s goalkicking in 2015, 2016, and 2020 (AFL.com.au)
  • He won a best-and-fairest award in 2020 (ESPN)
  • He finished second in the Coleman Medal in his 73-goal season (Hawthorn Football Club official profile)

The pattern: 430+ career goals, three premierships (2013, 2014, 2015), All-Australian honours, and a best-and-fairest. Those are credentials very few forwards match.

The upshot

Gunston is the rare forward who has proven effective across three different clubs and two distinct eras of Hawthorn — one in their premiership peak, one in their rebuild. For the Hawks, his value isn’t just his scoring; it’s the leadership of a premiership player who knows what winning takes.

Timeline: Jack Gunston’s Key Career Milestones

Gunston’s journey from draft pick to seasoned veteran spans more than a decade.

  • 16 October 1991: Born
  • 2009: Drafted by Hawthorn (pick 21)
  • 2011: AFL debut for Adelaide
  • 2012: Traded to Hawthorn
  • 2013-2015: Premierships with Hawthorn
  • 2014: Coleman Medal runner-up with a career-high 73 goals
  • 2018: All-Australian selection
  • 2022: Traded to Brisbane Lions
  • 2024: Returned to Hawthorn

What’s Clear and What’s Not

Separating verified facts from speculation is essential when evaluating a player’s career and personal life.

Confirmed facts

  • Born 16 October 1991 (AFL Player Profile)
  • Height 193 cm, weight 87 kg
  • Career goals 430+
  • Plays for Hawthorn (current)
  • All-Australian 2018 (AFL.com.au)
  • 3 premierships (2013, 2014, 2015)

What’s unclear

  • Exact current salary
  • Full family details
  • Complete reasoning for leaving Brisbane beyond trade reports
  • Whether he will continue past 2025

In His Own Words and Others’

“Gunston rediscovered the running power that defined his early career after joining the Lions.”

— Brisbane Lions (official club)

“He played his last game at Hawthorn before joining Brisbane as a free agent in 2022.”

— AFL.com.au (official league)

“Gunston explored a trade move back to Victoria in October 2023.”

— ESPN (sports network)

“Gunston arrived with a 9-4 career record against the Lions and a 2-2 record at the Gabba.”

— Brisbane Lions (club article)

What His Career Means Now

Gunston’s return to Hawthorn isn’t just a sentimental homecoming — it’s a functional decision. At 32, he provides veteran leadership and scoring depth for a young Hawks list. For Brisbane, his departure opens cap space and list room but removes a proven forward from the rotation. For the AFL landscape, Gunston’s story shows that loyalty and pragmatism can coexist: he gave Brisbane a genuine chance, and when the fit wasn’t right, he found his way home.

Additional sources

afl.com.au, ozfootball.com, ozfootball.com

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Frequently asked questions

Does Jack Gunston have a wife?

Gunston is publicly linked to Melbourne model Dani Shreeve, according to Wikipedia (biographical source). The relationship is documented but kept largely private.

Does Jack Gunston have children?

There is no publicly confirmed information about Gunston having children. The details of his personal life remain largely private.

How many premierships has Jack Gunston won?

Gunston has won three premierships with Hawthorn — in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

What is Jack Gunston’s net worth?

Exact net worth figures are not publicly available. His salary as a veteran AFL player places him in a strong earning position, but specific figures are not disclosed by the league or clubs.

Does Jack Gunston have any siblings?

Public records do not confirm details of Gunston’s siblings. His family life, aside from his father’s passing and his partner’s identity, remains mostly private.

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