HAWTHORN has extended the contract of key forward Jack Gunston for a further three years.

The triple premiership player, who was set to come out of contract at the end of 2019, is now tied to the club until the end of 2022.

GM Football Graham Wright said the club was rapt to have secured Gunston’s future at the Hawks.

“It’s exciting for the club to have Jack’s future secured for a further four years,” said Wright.

“Jack has become a vital part of our team since joining us at the end of the 2011 season and has had a fantastic home and away season this year.

“Jack’s an important member of our leadership group and at just 26, we feel he has some of his best footy still ahead of him.”

The 26-year-old has been a constant for the Hawks since crossing from the Crows playing 155 games in the brown and gold, including the club’s historic three-peat.

Renowned as one of the competition’s most accurate set-shot kickers, Gunston has kicked 46 goals in season 2018 and averages 18 possessions a game.

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Adding to the good news for the Hawks this week, youngsters Kaiden Brand, Oliver Hanrahan and Conor Nash have all agreed to new deals with the club.

Brand has played 37 games for the Hawks, including nine games in 2018, while Hanrahan is yet to make his debut after being selected by the Hawks in the 2017 Rookie Draft.

Nash joined the Hawks in late 2016 as a Category B rookie, having turned down a Gaelic football academy contract to pursue the foreign sport of AFL on the other side of the world.

A promising athlete in his youth, Nash split his time playing Gaelic football and rugby. He represented Ireland in the U18 rugby side and was touted as a star in the making due to his pace and stature.

He has since transferred these traits to the game of Aussie Rules, enjoying a breakout season with the Box Hill Hawks while averaging 13 disposals, four marks and just under a goal a game.

He made his debut for the Hawks in their Round 21 clash with the Cats and kicked his first goal at AFL level in Saturday night’s win over the Saints.