Hawthorn’s Jack Gunston has kicked a behind in the dying seconds to defeat Geelong by one point in an Easter Monday classic.
Gunston emerged the match-winner after briefly being forced off the ground with a hamstring issue as Hawthorn recorded a 13.14 (92) to 14.7 (91) winners at the MCG.
After Mitch Lewis’s goal levelled the scores with 51 seconds left on the clock, Gunston hit the post with a close-range volley to put Hawthorn ahead after a frantic goalmouth scramble in the dying seconds.Â
“I hate points, but it’s a nice one,” he told Channel 7 after the game.
“It was pretty frantic there and we were trying to just hit it forward, get it forward, get a boot on the ball and [I] hit the post.”
Gunston continued his tremendous late-career renaissance by kicking 3.4 against Geelong, bringing his season’s tally to 16 goals in four matches, trailing only Gold Coast’s Ben King (19).Â
Shannon Neale marked and kicked his fourth goal with less than two minutes left to give Geelong a six-point lead, before Lewis repeated the feat at the other end to draw Hawthorn level.
Then Hawthorn skipper James Sicily — who played through a right shoulder injury — took a huge contested mark in defence and kick-started an end-to-end play that finished with Gunston scrapping the winning point.
Josh Ward (29 disposals) provided a superb presence around the ball, especially in the first half while Connor Macdonald (26) was excellent when it counted.
For Geelong, Bailey Smith (33 disposals) worked tirelessly in midfield, with support from Max Holmes (27 disposals) and Tanner Bruhn (26) while Tom Stewart was strong down back and Mitch Edwards held his own in the ruck.
Follow the live blog below for a recap of all the action as it happened.
Key Events
1h ago1 hours agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 9:02am
2h ago2 hours agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 7:50am
2h ago2 hours agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 7:49am
Show all key events6h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 4:07amHawthorn vs Geelong — live scoreboard
1h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 9:23am
That’s where we leave things for tonight
Thank you for spending your Easter Monday with us!
What a contest eh? Please join us next weekend once again for Gather Round in South Australia.
1h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 9:21am
Will Gunston be right to play next week?
Sam Mitchell says he thought Jack Gunston had “100 per cent” done his hamstring when he pulled up in the third quarter.
Nevertheless, Mitchell says he suspects Gunston will be right to play next week.
1h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 9:17am
Sam Mitchell relieved after Hawthorn’s clutch win
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell appears to be still in a bit of a state of shock after the win.
“Even when the siren went, I wasn’t 100 per cent sure there had been a point,” he tells AFL 360.
“We did our best to lose it, so glad we got the win. At the end, you would think you’d be filled with joy, but I haven’t felt that yet.
“Seeing the players’ faces after the game makes for something special.”
1h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 9:09am
Scott says Dangerfield could be available next week
Chris Scott is asked about the return date of Patrick Dangerfield and says there is “a bit to work through”.
Dangerfield is expected to either be back for next week’s clash against West Coast or the following week’s match against the Western Bulldogs at the latest.
1h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 9:02amScott says Geelong played ‘low-standard game’
Geelong coach Chris Scott is cutting an incredibly frustrated figure as he speaks on AFL 360.
“We did make some blues late, so that’s particularly frustrating,” he says.
“Even structurally we made some errors I’d like to think we wouldn’t make, but hopefully it doesn’t come back to bite us.
“I didn’t think we played very well. I thought it was a low-standard game from our end.
“With 90 seconds to go, there’s not too much you can do in the box.
“You’re relying on all the work you’ve done throughout the year.”
1h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 8:47am
James Sicily on his shoulder stinger in the final term
Here’s Hawks defender James Sicily on the shoulder issue that briefly forced him into the rooms in the last quarter.
1h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 8:46am
How the ladder looks after the completion of Round 4
1h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 8:42am
A look at the scorers from this afternoon’s clash
1h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 8:37am
Hawthorn breaks the drought against Geelong
Thank heaven for that ! 7-0 to Geelong would have been too much to bear !
– Phillip
Hawks fans breathing a huge sigh of relief after that absolute heart-stopper.
2h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 8:18am
Here’s how the final two minutes panned out
If you missed the ending to this game, here’s what happened!
2h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 8:17am
Newcombe speaks after Hawthorn’s win
Jai Newcombe picked up 25 disposals in Hawthorn’s one-point win over Geelong. (Getty Images)
Jai Newcombe isn’t too happy with his performance despite Hawthorn’s win.
“It’s a nice feeling down here … it’s a feeling of relief for me, to be honest,” he tells Fox Footy.
“They’re very strong one on one around the contest, and don’t give you a lot of breathing space.”
Newcombe is asked about Chol’s shanked set shots, but gives a very measured response.
“I can’t be throwing shade on anyone after my final quarter performance,” he says.
You know the standards at Hawthorn are good when a guy with 25 disposals, six clearances, five inside 50s and five score involvements is absolutely filthy with his game.
2h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 8:11am
Stay tuned for the coaches press conferences
We’re still live here team!
The two coaches will be up at the podium shortly. We’ll keep you updated with their key points.
2h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 8:01am
Hawthorn players love the fanfare
Somehow the Hawthorn players found a reserve of energy to get around to all the fans who’ve stayed to celebrate after the thrilling win.
Plenty of the younger ones – Massimo D’ambrosio, Nick Watson, Jack Ginnivan, Mabior Chol – made sure to a full lap and high five everyone in the first row.
Ginnivan of course spent a fair chunk of time taking selfies with fans in the cheer section behind the goals.
They really are a happy team at Hawthorn.
2h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 7:54am
Gunston speaks after final second heroics
Jack Gunston speaks after an unbelievable finish as Hawthorn recorded a one-point win at the MCG.
“I’m normally dirty on myself for kicking points,” he tells Fox Footy.
“It’s nice to be on the right side of it for once, I’ve lost my fair share.
“I’ve got full respect for Geelong. It means something to beat these guys, they’re a quality outfit, a quality football club.”
Gunston is asked about his hamstring but says it was “a bit of carry on” from himself.
“Hopefully it’s a bit of cramp,” he says.
2h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 7:50amFT: Hawthorn 13.14 (92) defeats Geelong 14.7 (91)
Mitch Lewis kicked a late goal to draw the Hawks level before Jack Gunston’s behind sealed the deal. (Getty Images)
Jack Gunston with a poster from close range with 13 seconds left wins it for Hawthorn!
What an absolute classic that was!
Geelong’s players can’t quite believe what’s happened and I don’t think Hawthorn’s can either.
They’re absolutely stunned at that final minute. Gunston all smiles out there as he celebrates.
What a decision to leave him on the ground after that hamstring issue in the third quarter.
It was an absolute goalmouth scramble there at the end as Geelong tried desperately to keep the ball in play as Hawthorn looked to get it over the goal line somehow.
Hawthorn with 3.5 to 4.2 in the final quarter, and one of that five was what mattered most.
Here are some of the full-time stats:
Disposals: Hawthorn 387-342Inside 50s: Geelong 54-53Clearances: Hawthorn 33-28Contested Possessions: Hawthorn 128-112Marks: Geelong 101-90Tackles: Hawthorn 64-54
Bailey Smith finishes as the leading ball-winner on the ground with 33 disposals, while Josh Ward led the way for the Hawks with 29 touches.
Smith and Jai Newcombe had six clearances apiece.
2h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 7:49amGunston puts Hawks ahead with 13 seconds left!
2h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 7:49am
Sicily takes intercept mark!
2h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 7:49am
Cats win centre clearance
2h agoMon 6 Apr 2026 at 7:48am
Lewis levels the scores after a huge grab
Mitch Lewis from close range after taking a big contested mark at the top of the square!
There’s 51 seconds left on the clock and the scores are level.
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