Hawks forward Jack Gunston's five goals almost made him the hero in the side’s close encounter with Sydney on Friday night. 

While it ultimately wasn’t enough to get the Hawks over the line, despite goaling to put the side seven points up midway through the last term, Gunston has undoubtably returned to career-best form in 2018.

After a raft of injuries to Hawk defenders last year saw Gunston shifted to defence midway through the season, the mobile forward has returned to his more familiar post up forward and is enjoying a rich vein of form after eight rounds.

The 26-year-old is averaging almost 17 disposals and five marks this season, but it’s been his increased impact on the scoreboard that’s been the most impressive.

After his handful of goals against the Swans, Gunston’s season total now sits at 17, matching his 2016 average of just over two goals a game and could be set for another 50-plus goal season after managing to do so between 2014 and 2016.

There are however a few quirks surrounding Gunston’s most recent five-goal-hauls.

Against Swans on Friday, the Suns in Round 12 last season and GWS in Round 6, 2016, the Hawks have gone down despite starring performances from Gunston.

The triple premiership player also finished with the same stats from both the Swans and Giants game (15 disposals, four marks) and kicked the Hawks’ final goal in all three games as well as the game’s opening major in the clashes with Sydney and the Gold Coast.

While it may not have been a good indicator in recent years, the Hawks will hoping they can start to capitalize on Gunston’s good form.

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