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\u2018BIGGEST POINT OF DIFFERENCE\u2019 AMONG CONTENDERS THAT \u2018NO ONE HAS WORKED OUT\u2019<\/p>\n
At age 34, Jack Gunston is remarkably in career-best form as the Coleman Medal leader.<\/p>\n
In fact, the evergreen Hawks veteran is producing numbers not seen in 17 years.<\/p>\n
Gunston, Brendan Fevola (2008) and Lance Franklin (2009) are the only players that have averaged 4.6 marks, seven shots and 3.9 goals per game during that time.<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s posing a big problem to the rest of the competition in a role a great declared is the \u201cbiggest point of difference\u201d among the best sides. <\/p>\n
Hawthorn\u2019s draw with Collingwood in Round 8 is the only game Gunston has been clamped on a night he went goalless. The 292-gamer has kicked at least three goals in every other game this year.<\/p>\n
Playing as a good old-fashioned full forward with elite footy smarts and craft with his leading patterns, it\u2019s left some of the game\u2019s best defences without answers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s underrated the role he\u2019s playing, I think it\u2019s the biggest point of difference of any of the top teams in the competition,\u201d Saints great Leigh Montagna said on Fox Footy\u2019s The First Crack. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest issue for me is that no one has figured out how to defend him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was criticism of Luke Ryan playing back shoulder and giving him too much space.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s so clever, he\u2019s got as good a forward craft as we\u2019ve seen in 20 years, really, with his ability to stop, start, change angles and roll back. It was almost impossible and Ryan had no answers.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo Cal Wilkie tries to take the assertive position. But Gunston is too smart. As soon as you turn your head or your out of his vision, he ducks back at the kicker. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo, no one has worked out a way to handle this, at the moment, and he is absolutely dominating.\u201d <\/p>\n
Gunston has now kicked 80 goals from his last 21 games in what Montagna described as a \u201cremarkable\u201d return \u201cat his age\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeams have got to figure out a way to stop it. Collingwood has been the only team this year, and they did it by playing that rope-a-dope game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just think it\u2019s remarkable and still going undersold.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a watch on Gunston\u2019s availability this week after he sat the fourth quarter of Hawthorn\u2019s win over the Western Bulldogs after kicking three goals in the first three terms. <\/p>\n
It came in Gunston\u2019s first game back from a foot injury. <\/p>\n
Melbourne legend Garry Lyon is also a big fan of what Gunston is doing, suggesting the three-time premiership star is \u201credefining forward craft\u201d in the modern era.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot redefining, taking it back to where it should be,\u201d Lyon noted on Fox Footy\u2019s AFL 360.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour great advantage as a forward is you can go wherever you want to go inside that forward 50. Don\u2019t be a robot, don\u2019t be a sheep and go running off to the other end of the ground. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe goes and stands behind the goal umpire. Cal Wilkie, who\u2019s been a benchmark, All-Australian defender, had no idea what to do. <\/p>\n
\u201cBecause a forward took the initiative and took him to places Wilkie didn\u2019t want to go. And Wilkie, who I love, ended up looking like a bush defender. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe craft of forwards is now coming to the fore. Jack Gunston at age 56, or whatever he is, is redefining it. He\u2019s not playing on hacks, he\u2019s playing on Cal Wilkie.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love it. I love the whole fact that there is some work being done on the forward line stuff, not this nonsense we\u2019ve seen for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Between Hawthorn\u2019s potent Gunston-led attack, Sydney powering up with Charlie Curnow and Fremantle\u2019s \u201cthree beasts\u201d – Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Patrick Voss – Lyon suggested it could be the year the flag is decided by the quality of your forwards. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhich makes life fantastic and makes life for defenders a nightmare. Which is the way it should be in this game. The defenders shouldn\u2019t be dictating to the forwards,\u201d Lyon added. <\/p>\n
Bec Daniher reflects on Neale’s impact | 02:00<\/p>\n
COX\u2019S \u2018GOOD HEADACHE\u2019 AS SWAN\u2019S EXIT MIGHTN\u2019T BE ALL THAT BAD<\/p>\n
Sydney would be disappointed to see free agent forward Joel Amartey exit the club at year\u2019s end. <\/p>\n
But with Charlie Curnow spearheading its attack, and Logan McDonald finding crucial form, the third key forward mantle might belong to Hayden McLean beyond this season. <\/p>\n
Four doesn\u2019t go into three, and McLean has been the odd man out since Curnow\u2019s arrival in the offseason – bar two senior games this year. <\/p>\n
The second came last Saturday against Richmond, with senior coach Dean Cox opting to experiment with four tall forwards in a fixture the Swans would have pencilled in as a win. <\/p>\n
And McLean, in what was also his 100th AFL game, didn\u2019t disappoint, booting four goals from four marks in the 114-point win at the SCG. <\/p>\n
It came after he booted three majors against North Melbourne in Round 9, when Curnow was out with injury. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s McLean\u2019s ability as a serviceable second-ruck option that makes him appealing at selection, with dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna pumping up the 27-year-old. <\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes, when you give these opportunities, it can create more headaches for the coaches – but good headaches,\u201d he told Fox Footy\u2019s First Crack. <\/p>\n
\u201cBecause McLean again showed that he is more than capable of being a third tall forward option in a side – potentially as the second ruck. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s a much better second ruck option than, say, Joel Amartey. And he continues to produce. He\u2019s still only 27 years of age; I think one of these late developers. <\/p>\n
\u201cHis best football might be ahead of him, and I just wonder how many more looks we get of Hayden McLean throughout the season, and whether it\u2019s worth trialling it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over his past four games in Sydney\u2019s senior side – which includes his last two games last year – McLean has averaged 10.0 disposals, 3.0 marks inside 50, 3.7 goals and 6.0 score involvements. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe can play,\u201d Montagna continued, before looking at the situation from a big-picture perspective. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf I\u2019m the Sydney Swans thinking bigger-term, I won\u2019t be completely devastated if Joel Amartey\u2019s getting these offers of over $1 million from another club. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf they say \u2018okay, we\u2019re not going to match that, we\u2019ll let you leave\u2019, knowing they\u2019ve got Hayden McLean, with Logan McDonald continuing to develop, and obviously Curnow as your no.1 banana, it\u2019s something that Dean Cox has at his disposal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amartey has kicked 26 goals in 12 games this year, upping his average, but that\u2019s easier to do when Curnow draws the opposition\u2019s best defender each week. <\/p>\n
McLean could benefit from that same circumstance on a full-time basis next year, with McDonald also showing evidence of development. <\/p>\n
One of these legends is gonna get burnt | 06:38<\/p>\n
DOGS\u2019 MOST IMPORTANT? CLEAR PROOF OF \u2018TOP-FIVE\u2019 RUCK\u2019S IMPACT<\/p>\n
Tim English might be the Bulldogs\u2019 most important player. <\/p>\n
Sure, Sam Darcy and Marcus Bontempelli probably have a greater claim to that tag. <\/p>\n
But the numbers surrounding star ruckman English are hard to ignore. <\/p>\n
In games English has played this season, the club is 6-1 with a +6.1 clearance differential and +6 in points from clearance differential. <\/p>\n
In games he\u2019s missed, the Dogs are 1-4 and -0.7 and -19 respectively in the same categories. <\/p>\n
Granted, Luke Beveridge\u2019s undermanned side has been without other key stars during English\u2019s stint on the sidelines due to knee and concussion problems.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s a reflection of the importance of English, who Saints great Leigh Montagna declared is still a top five ruck in the game. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou can see the difference it\u2019s made. Those (statistical) differentials get you in the top six,\u201d Montagna said on Fox Footy\u2019s The First Crack. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just his ruckwork, which is elite; it makes the midfielders more proactive, he goes forward and kicks goals, he can mark behind the ball. It just makes them look completely. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a top five ruckman in the competition. If you took Max Gawn out of Melbourne, what do they look like? If you took Luke Jackson out of Fremantle, who do they look like? The same with Brodie Grundy and Tristan Xerri. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s how important (English) is to this team. To have him back fully fit and healthy, the Dogs just look different. <\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe they\u2019ve had that patch where they really struggled, and they can turn the corner and start to climb again.\u201d<\/p>\n
King called it \u201ca big man\u2019s world now,\u201d while Montagna said you need at least three rucks on a list – two \u201cquality\u201d options and a backup.\u201d<\/p>\n
Roberts open to Hird Bombers return | 00:55<\/p>\n
\u2018HEART AND SOUL\u2019 EAGLE GOING UNDER THE RADAR<\/p>\n
There\u2019s been plenty of hype around West Coast\u2019s rising stars and former No. 1 picks Harley Reid and Willem Duursma in helping the club make inroads back up the ladder. <\/p>\n
But a great has shone a light on another youngster going undersold in the rebuilding club\u2019s rise.<\/p>\n
His name is Reuben Ginbey.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old is coming off a stellar lockdown role on emerging Bombers star Nate Caddy, who kicked two goals in the fourth quarter. <\/p>\n
Ginbey tallied 17 disposals himself with 11 intercepts, five intercept marks and seven spoils.<\/p>\n
It continued Ginbey\u2019s career-best form as the Eagles rewarded him with a three-year extension this week. <\/p>\n
It has some suggesting Ginbey, now establishing himself as a defender after stints through the midfield early in his career, should be in the All-Australian mix.<\/p>\n
Well, Saints legend Leigh Montagna is taking notice. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no one that plays with more energy and spirit than Reuben Ginbey. He\u2019s the heart and soul of that back-half of the ground,\u201d Montagna said on Fox Footy\u2019s The First Crack.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was great to watch the matchup of Ginbey and Nate Caddy – two young, key position stars that are going to go at it, old school, for the next 10-15 years. <\/p>\n
\u201cGinbey won this battle; he dominated. It\u2019s now back-to-back weeks he\u2019s had double-digit intercept games. He basically blanketed Caddy up until the last quarter. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe talk a lot about Harley Reid, and he is the figurehead, but this guy is the heart and soul, and he deserved a shoutout today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrew McQualter\u2019s Eagles have now won four games in 2026. That\u2019s four more than the entirety of last season and has the club on track for its best win total since 2021; having won one, five, three and two respectively over the last four seasons.<\/p>\n
Ahead of a friendly schedule with upcoming games against Port Adelaide, North Melbourne, then Carlton after the bye, there could be an opportunity for West Coast to go on a run. <\/p>\n
\u201cMilan Murdock continues to impress, Harley Reid kicked 1.4 (against Essendon) – if he had have kicked three again, he has another BOG – and Jake Waterman leads the forward half of the ground,\u201d Montagna added. <\/p>\n
\u201cMcQualter continues to do a good job. It\u2019s a favourable run, and they continue to improve.\u201d<\/p>\n
ROUND 13 AFL FIXTURE (All times AEST) AND FOX FOOTY COMMENTARY ROSTER<\/p>\n
ADELAIDE CROWS v GEELONG<\/p>\n
Thursday June 4, 7:30pm at Adelaide Oval<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:30pm on Channel 504, with Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, Leigh Montagna, Mark Howard, Dwayne Russell, David King, Mark Ricciuto, Shaun Burgoyne & Jon Ralph. <\/p>\n
HAWTHORN v WESTERN BULLDOGS<\/p>\n
Friday June 5, 7:40pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:30pm on Channel 504, with Garry Lyon, Tom Hawkins, Jordan Lewis, Anthony Hudson, Gerard Whateley, Jason Dunstall, Ben Dixon & Jon Ralph. <\/p>\n
NORTH MELBOURNE v FREMANTLE<\/p>\n
Saturday June 6, 2:15pm at Hands Oval<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 1:30pm on Channel 504, with Dwayne Russell, Brad Johnson, Ben Dixon & Ruby Schleicher. <\/p>\n
GOLD COAST SUNS v BRISBANE LIONS<\/p>\n
Saturday June 6, 5:15pm at People First Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 5:00pm on Channel 504, with Mark Howard, Leigh Montagna, Jordan Lewis & Alastair Lynch. <\/p>\n
WEST COAST EAGLES v PORT ADELAIDE<\/p>\n
Saturday June 6, 8:15pm at Optus Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 8:00pm on Channel 504, with Adam Papalia, Adam Simpson, Tom Hawkins, Ruby Schleicher & Will Schofield. <\/p>\n
SYDNEY SWANS v ST KILDA<\/p>\n
Sunday June 7, 3:15pm at the SCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 2:30pm on Channel 504, with Dwayne Russell, Jess Webster, Brad Johnson, Gerard Healy, Alastair Lynch & David Zita. <\/p>\n
ESSENDON v CARLTON<\/p>\n
Sunday June 7, 7:20pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7:00pm on Channel 504, with Anthony Hudson, Gerard Whateley, Jack Riewoldt, Ken Hinkley, Lauren Wood & David Zita. <\/p>\n
COLLINGWOOD v MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
Monday June 8, 3:15pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 2:00pm on Channel 504, with Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David King, Leigh Montagna, Anthony Hudson, Mark Howard, Brad Johnson, Eddie Betts & Jon Ralph. <\/p>\n
BYES: GWS Giants, Richmond<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Why Hawthorn has the \u201cbiggest point of difference\u201d of any contending side this year, and the \u201cgood headache\u201d…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":713361,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[19102,1146,9126,638,19057,8406,69039,64,63,689,55,639,684,7488,680,3237,12124,124501,141573,346487,1129,28967,252224,346496,346497,9127,1818,8011,12148,346491,162979,45748,346495,1127,346489,10145,31756,61,61427,9130,162507,49665,12102,3231,1823,17351,48340,12149,30404,19074,19080,346488,10991,7484,346492,99323,346499,31732,15631,3465,346493,346486,29652,663,15626,28267,19096,12097,14426,673,677,12156,6082,18003,12105,19093,1820,51240,2523,346494,1124,85,346490,346498,670,7200,27727,7663,267083,19118,346127,698,45705],"class_list":["post-713360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-adam-papalia","tag-adam-simpson","tag-adelaide-crows","tag-afl","tag-alastair-lynch","tag-andrew-mcqualter","tag-archie-roberts","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australia-and-new-zealand","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-ben-cotton","tag-brad-johnson","tag-brendan-fevola","tag-brisbane-lions","tag-brodie-grundy","tag-cal-wilkie","tag-career-best-form","tag-change-angles","tag-charlie-curnow","tag-clearance-differential","tag-commentary-roster","tag-concussion-problems","tag-contending-side","tag-crows-v","tag-david-king","tag-david-zita","tag-dean-cox","tag-double-digit-intercept-games","tag-eagles-v-port","tag-eddie-betts-amp-jon-ralph","tag-footy-commentary","tag-fox-footy","tag-games-english","tag-garry-lyon","tag-gerard-healy","tag-gerard-whateley","tag-goal-umpire","tag-gold-coast-suns","tag-hawthorn-v-western","tag-hayden-mclean","tag-jack-gunston","tag-jack-jovanovski","tag-jack-riewoldt","tag-jake-waterman","tag-james-hird","tag-jason-dunstall","tag-john-longmire","tag-johnson","tag-jordan-lewis","tag-jordan-lewis-amp-alastair-lynch","tag-josh-treacy","tag-ken-hinkley","tag-key-position-stars","tag-key-stars","tag-kicks-goals","tag-lance-franklin","tag-lauren-wood","tag-leigh-montagna","tag-life-fantastic","tag-line-stuff","tag-logan-mcdonald","tag-luke-beveridge","tag-luke-jackson","tag-luke-ryan","tag-mark-howard","tag-max-gawn","tag-nate-caddy","tag-new-south-wales","tag-oceania","tag-patrick-voss","tag-port-adelaide","tag-rebuilding-club","tag-sam-darcy","tag-sarah-jones","tag-score-involvements","tag-senior-games","tag-senior-side","tag-serviceable-second-ruck-option","tag-south-australia","tag-sports","tag-star-ruckman-english","tag-stellar-lockdown-role","tag-sydney","tag-sydney-swans","tag-sydney-swans-v","tag-talking-points","tag-three-time-premiership-star","tag-tom-hawkins","tag-tough-list-calls","tag-western-bulldogs","tag-will-schofield"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/713360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=713360"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/713360\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/713361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=713360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=713360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=713360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}