Despite being a key reason behind Hawthorn kicking a winning score on Sunday, Jack Gunston said it was the side’s work at the other end of the ground that brought about a return to the winners’ list.

Kicking a goal himself as well as posting game-high goal assist numbers, Gunston said the team was able to execute the plans for a stingy defensive effort.

“I probably thought our defensive work stood out,” Gunston said post-match.

“We kicked 10 goals in the end, but it was our defensive work, the boys stuck together as a unit, and ground out a four-quarter performance.”

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Following a challenging week at the club, Gunston said there was a massive focus on spirit and camaraderie within the playing group. 

“I think footy now is all about belief.

“We’ve played some good footy this year, but we’ve led a lot of times into last quarters and haven’t been able to win.

“So, it was good today that we could do it for longer and really put out a performance that we could be proud of.”