Jack Gunston slams career-best six goals as Hawks overpower Port Adelaide
Jack Gunston has booted six goals for Hawthorn who have toppled a sloppy Port Adelaide by 31 points in a low-scoring AFL clash in Launceston.
Hawthorn kept the Power scoreless in Saturday afternoon's opening quarter in a 12.8 (80) to 6.13 (49) victory to remain firmly in the top-eight mix.
Gunston, who equalled his best-career haul, slotted the opening two majors and picked up 21 disposals and nine marks in a starring performance.
The 27-year-old showed off his soccer skills, with an outside boot nudging the ball around a post and across the goalline for a fourth.
Hawthorn's Ricky Henderson topped the possession count with 37 in front of a crowd of 11,637.
Port Adelaide fought hard but couldn't overcome its scoreless first quarter AAP
Port Adelaide, slipping to 5-5 for the season, didn't kick a major until the 12th minute of the second term in their lowest-scoring first half this year.
Hawthorn join them on 20 competition points in a tight tussle for the top eight.
The Power missed ruckman Scott Lycett, who sat out the round-10 match with injury.
Hawthorn won hit-outs 46-36, with Marc Pittonet getting 29.
In the first game against his former club, gun Hawthorn recruit Chad Wingard was relatively quiet and finished with 20 touches.
Hawks star Jarman Impey continued his success against his former side in Tasmania AAP
Aided by a strong breeze, Hawthorn kicked all four goals of the opening quarter and dominated inside 50s 16-6 for a 25-point lead.
Several Hawks' goals came after Port fumbles.
The Power cut the margin to 18 points midway through the third term but, every time they threatened, Hawthorn pulled away.
With his side leading by 22, Gunston gave Hawthorn extra breathing space early in the final term when he cruised into the goal square for his fifth.
Tom Rockliff, who had 25 disposals for the Power, failed to finish the match with an apparent hamstring problem.
