The praise surrounding Jack Gunston’s 300-game milestone has been well earned, particularly given the 34-year-old’s own admission that he expected his 250th to mark his final game at AFL level.

These figures from the AFL highlight just how remarkable his career trajectory has been.

JACK GUNSTON

• The 114th player to reach 300 career games.
• When he debuted in 2010 there were 62 players in the 300-game club.

PLAYERS TO 300 VFL/AFL GAMES

MISCELLANEOUS

• Drafted by Adelaide with pick No. 29 in the 2009 AFL Draft.
• Debuted in Round 9, 2010 against Brisbane, kicking Adelaide's final goal in a 12-point win.
• Played 14 games for Adelaide across 2010-11 before being traded to Hawthorn.
• Played 211 games for Hawthorn over the next 11 seasons.
• Was traded to Brisbane ahead of the 2023 season, playing 17 games before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
• After one year at Brisbane, he was traded back to Hawthorn and has added a further 57 games to date.
• A three-time premiership player in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He also played in Hawthorn's 2012 Grand Final side and was on Brisbane's list during the Lions' 2023 premiership season.
• Kicked the opening goal of the 2013 Grand Final.
• One of 29 players in VFL/AFL history to have played 250 or more games and kicked 500 or more goals for a single club. Five of those players are from Hawthorn: Gunston, Leigh Matthews, Jason Dunstall, Jarryd Roughead and Luke Breust. Gunston has played 268 games and kicked 566 goals for the Hawks.
• A two-time All-Australian (2018 and 2025), he was also named in the extended squad on four other occasions (2014, 2015, 2016 and 2020).
• The seven-year gap between his All-Australian selections is the third longest in the award's history, behind Matthew Richardson (nine years) and Nic Naitanui (eight).
• Named in the 2014 AFL Players' Association 22under22 team and was also included in the extended squad in 2013.
• Four-time club leading goalkicker: 2015 (57), 2016 (51), 2020 (31) and 2025 (73).
• Two-time best and fairest winner in 2020 and 2025.
• In March 2022, Gunston became the 99th player to kick 400 VFL/AFL goals. In May 2025, he became the 65th player to reach 500 goals and in July 2026 the 37th player to kick 600 goals.
• Since the start of the 18-team era in 2012, Gunston has recorded 21 games with at least 20 disposals and three goals, the fifth most of any player in that period (Toby Greene leads with 26).
• Kicked five goals in a game for Adelaide, Hawthorn and Brisbane, becoming just the second player after Scott Cummings to record a five-goal game for clubs based in three different states.
• In 2025, Gunston became the oldest player (33 years, 338 days) to win a club best and fairest award and leading goalkicker award in the same season.
• Gunston becomes the third player to reach the 300-game milestone having represented three clubs, joining Len Thompson (Collingwood, South Melbourne and Fitzroy) and Bradley Hill (Hawthorn, Fremantle and St Kilda).
  Note: John Rantall played for three clubs during his career, but only two within his first 300 games.
• Did not kick seven goals in a game until his 272nd career appearance. Only Brad Johnson had to wait longer for his first seven-goal game (279 games). At 33 years of age, Gunston was also the third-oldest player when kicking seven goals for the first time.
• Kicked 73 goals in 2025, the first time he had reached 60 goals in a season. This made him the third-oldest player at the time of his first 60-goal season and the second-oldest, behind Alastair Lynch, to record a first 70-goal season.
• In 2025, Gunston played in his fourth semi-final, a decade after appearing in his fourth Grand Final.
• The span of 16 years and 92 days between debut and game 300 ranks equal 101st (with Alastair Lynch) among the 114 players to have reached the milestone.
• Gunston has had 210 teammates throughout his career, the second most of any player in the AFL era behind Dale Kickett (221).
• Gunston kicked 12 goals in Grand Finals called by Bruce McAvaney, the most of any player.
• Career goalkicking by quarter: Q1: 148.94, Q2: 153.79, Q3: 164.89, and Q4: 143.94.
• Round 24, 2026 marks the first time two former teammates have played their 300th games in the same round.
• Jack Gunston and Bradley Hill played 88 games together at Hawthorn, including three premierships.
• They have played against each other nine times, with Gunston holding a 5-4 advantage.
• Gunston and Hill are set to become the 113th and 114th players in VFL/AFL history to reach the 300-game milestone.

MOST GAMES PLAYED ALONGSIDE JACK GUNSTON

• Gunston has played games alongside 210 teammates.
• Has played 100+ games with 6 of them.
• Has played in wins alongside 191 of the 210.

MOST GAMES PLAYED AGAINST JACK GUNSTON

 
WIN LOSS RECORDS IN 50 GAME SPANS

• Best: 42-8 (2012-14).
• Worst: 17-33 (2019-22).