Jack Gunston sets new career-high as Hawks seal finals spot with big win over Demons
Gunston kicked seven goals, adding to his All-Australian claims at the age of 33, and now has a career-best haul of 59 for the season as the Hawks dominated from the start in Saturday's twilight game at the MCG, winning 13.14 (92) to 8.8 (56).
Gunston's 7.4 equalled his career-best game, also this season, in round 15 against North Melbourne.
The Hawks will now head to the Gabba next Sunday for a massive game against reigning premiers Brisbane, one of the Round 24 clashes that will have a big say in where the top-eight teams finish.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell had pumped up Saturday's clash with the Dees as a danger game, noting Melbourne had not been awful over the past month, despite the sacking of coach Simon Goodwin.
But the game was effectively over at quarter-time after the Hawks booted five goals to one. Gunston put through two of them as he tormented Melbourne's 250-game key defender Steven May.
With the game in their keeping, Breust was brought on as the sub early in the third term, two days after he announced he would retire at the end of this season.
As is customary for the much-loved small forward, Hawks fans greeted him with resounding 'boos'.
Those were amplified when he kicked a goal midway through the third, with teammates coming from everywhere as if it was the first goal of his career, not the 553rd.
Gunston should have been even more prolific - the sharpshooter missed a couple of gettable shots in the first half. Another goal in the final term was overruled on review as hitting the post.
He then put through his seventh goal and briefly left the field, before coming on for the end of the game
Other than the veneration of Hawthorn's two three-time premiership forwards, Dylan Moore racked up a game-high 32 disposals and kicked two goals, while utility Jarman Impey was also excellent.
By contrast, Melbourne were in danger of their lowest score this season before they kicked the last three goals of the game.
It would have been much worse but for captain Max Gawn constantly dropping back to plug holes in defence.
Gawn, headed towards another All-Australian nod, had an even ruck duel with the in-form Lloyd Meek, while midfielders Clayton Oliver and Tom Sparrow also impressed for the Demons.
Jake Melksham, one of few Melbourne forwards to enjoy consistent form this season, surprisingly started the game as the sub.
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