A BLISTERING start and five goals from an inspired Jack Gunston has propelled Hawthorn to a 46-point AFL victory over battlers North Melbourne.
The Hawks slotted eight unanswered goals in the first quarter at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval on Saturday, with the Kangaroos failing to back up last round’s upset over Richmond under caretaker coach Leigh Adams.
Playing his first match following two weeks off after the sudden death of his father, three-time premiership winner Gunston was a shining light in the 19.7 (121) to 11.9 (75) result.
The 30-year-old fittingly opened the scoring and pointed to the heavens to pay tribute to his father Ray, who was a former executive at the AFL.
Gunston’s best came in the fourth quarter from a set shot from the boundary line, as the Hawks registered their third win on the trot.
Busy Hawthorn midfielder Jai Newcombe picked up two goals, 30 disposals and nine clearances.
North Melbourne, who parted ways with coach David Noble less than a fortnight ago, were dealt a late blow when key forward Nick Larkey was ruled out with a heel problem.
Larkey had been under an injury cloud after being subbed out in their drought-breaking win over Richmond but made the trip south to Hobart.
His replacement Aaron Hall picked up an equal team-high 30 disposals.
Tempers flared in the fourth quarter when several Hawthorn players objected to North Melbourne’s Jy Simpkin flinging one of their teammates to the ground.
Hawthorn racked up a 49-3 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the Kangaroos clawed back some momentum by winning the second term with two goals to the Hawks’ single major.
However, the Hawks got rolling again in the third, with Gunston contributing two goals.
North Melbourne fans had something to cheer about when 20-year-old Phoenix Spicer kicked his maiden goal in the third quarter.
Skipper Jack Ziebell booted three in front of a crowd of 9713.
The Kangaroos remain anchored to the foot of the ladder with two wins for the season and next meet Essendon, while Hawthorn plays top-eight hopefuls St Kilda.
(C) AAP 2022
