Jack Gunston delivered one of the most remarkable individual performances of the AFL season on Saturday, kicking 7.2 (44 points) against Essendon — a tally that, on its own, exceeded the Bombers' entire score of 5.9 (39). The Hawthorn forward is 34 years old, and he is not done yet.
Gunston's haul made him just the third-oldest player in the competition's history to outscore an entire opposition side by himself. Along the way, he reached 600 career goals, a milestone his teammates celebrated by making him the unambiguous centre of attention — a moment that spoke to how great clubs are built on connections across generations.
A player reinvented, not just preserved
What makes Gunston's continued excellence particularly notable is how deliberately his role has been reshaped. Rather than ask him to cover the ground he once did, Hawthorn have crafted a position that plays directly to his strengths: hard leads inside 50 and precise set-shot kicking. The workload is lighter than it once was, but the impact is concentrated and effective.
This season alone, Gunston has now kicked five bags of five goals or more, and over his past 30 matches he has accumulated 100 goals. He also kicked the match-winning behind for the Hawks against Geelong on Easter Monday. These are not the numbers of a player seeing out a contract — they are the numbers of someone thriving within a smartly constructed system.
His performance arrived in the same week that 36-year-old Patrick Dangerfield confirmed he would play on with Geelong in 2027, a decision that further underscores the shifting culture around longevity in the AFL.
The numbers behind the veteran revolution
Gunston's Saturday masterclass is a vivid illustration of a broader, data-backed trend reshaping the competition. In 2016, there were just 65 listed players aged in their 30s across the league. By 2026, that figure had risen to 112.
The quality, not just the quantity, has shifted too. In 2016, only one player in the top 20 highest-rated in the competition was aged 30 or over. In 2026, eight of the top 20 fall into that bracket. Similarly, four of the top players in this year's coaches' votes are in their 30s — compared to zero a decade ago.
The reasons go beyond improved sports science and generous contracts, though both play a role. Clubs have come to understand that experienced players bring something a younger, median-grade listed player simply cannot replicate: tactical intelligence, composure, and the ability to educate those around them.
What it takes to play on — and play well
Not every veteran makes the adjustment. Those who do tend to share a willingness to accept a redefined role — whether that means less midfield time, fewer games, or even stints in the VFL. The ones still standing at the top level have retained at least one elite weapon the team can deploy.
- Dangerfield now uses his power inside 50 rather than grinding through midfield contests.
- Scott Pendlebury continues to create space for teammates with his composure and vision.
- Jeremy Howe maintains his leap and defensive reading of the game.
- Dayne Zorko has held onto both his pace and his precise kicking.
Of the 15 oldest players currently listed in the competition, only Melbourne's Max Gawn has played every match at peak level — and even he has occasionally made way to give younger ruckman Max Heath some exposure.
The other critical ingredient, according to those close to the game, is attitude. Letting go of frustration, embracing a support role, and genuinely investing in younger teammates are what separate the veterans who elevate a club from those who drain it. When Gunston's teammates mobbed him at his 600th goal, that dynamic was on full display — a reminder that the best clubs are not built by one generation, but by the meeting point of several.
If Saturday was any guide, Gunston in 2027 remains a very real possibility — and a genuinely exciting one.
