HAWTHORN goal kicking Legend Jason Dunstall believes his former team’s three-pronged attack could be the difference in qualifying for a third straight grand final.
The Hawks had three players kick more than 50 goals during the home-and-away-rounds, with Jarryd Roughead (62), Luke Breust (53) and Jack Gunston (51) all enjoying outstanding seasons.
The trio have proved difficult to stop all season and made an impact again in last Friday night’s 36-point Qualifying Final win over Geelong.
On that night it was Gunston who inflicted most of the damage with three goals, while Roughead booted two and Breust one.
“It’s critical to have three, four or five genuine scoring options when you go forward,” Dunstall told hawthornfc.com.au
“I think this group is smart enough now that they don’t just kick to one or two people, they pick the best option.”
Most importantly, the trio has also been remarkably accurate in front of goals this year.
Breust has been the most accurate after making work on his goal kicking a priority over the pre-season with 54.11, while Gunston has kicked 54.24 and Roughead 64.40.
Dunstall, who kicked 1254 goals in his career and had a conversation rate of 66 per cent knows the importance of kicking accurately in matches and particularly, big finals.
He says that record and confidence in front of goal could be a game breaker for the Hawks.
“Games are won and lost on conversion, we’ve seen that in grand finals as well as in week to week games,” he said.
“If you kick straight, you’re making the most of your opportunities and are putting scoreboard pressure on the opposition.
“I love the fact there’s players who are also very reliable in front of goals now.
“There was a time not too long ago that I used to get really worried when blokes were having shots for goal but now we’ve got some super reliable blokes.”
A former CEO and Football Director at Hawthorn, Dunstall says the side is in great shape to make its third successive grand final.
He believes the injection of youngsters this year such as midfielders Will Langford, Billy Hartung and Mitch Hallahan, ruckman Jonathon Ceglar and defenders Taylor Duryea and Angus Litherland has given the Hawks a renewed hunger.
“You’ve got to improve to win; you can’t stand still and be the same,” Dunstall said.
“All these players have come in and played their role, they know it’s not just about coming in and getting a game - if you come into this side, you play a role and contribute.
“Those young guys that come into the team take you to that extra 10 per cent, they’re the ones that lift the other guys over the top of the mountain.”
