One of the most obscure stats in AFL history has been uncovered following this year’s trade period.
Jack Gunston’s return to Hawthorn after one year at Brisbane was one of the biggest shocks of the past week.
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The veteran joined the Lions at the end of the 2022 season as a free agent on a two-year deal.
But he struggled this season and sensationally stepped away from Brisbane’s senior side to complete a separate training block midway through this year.
He returned for rounds 17-22 but was overlooked at selection for the finals as the Lions ultimately fell four points short of Collingwood in a thrilling season decider.
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Gunston, who just turned 32, started his career with Adelaide in 2010 before moving to Hawthorn, where he won three premierships, as well as an All-Australian (2018) and best-and-fairest award (2020).
He completed his move back to Hawthorn on the final day of the trade period with Brandon Ryan joining Brisbane and a number of picks swapping hands.
Jack Gunston and Tim Watson are in one of the AFL’s rarest groups. Credit: Getty Images
While it is rare for a player to return to a club they previously played for, it has still happened a number of times since the turn of the century.
But what about leaving a club, spending a year at a new club and watching on as they make the grand final, before returning to the original club?
Well, Gunston is incredibly not the first AFL player to do that.
AFL stats guru Swamp dropped the obscure fact on X (formerly Twitter), noting that Essendon great Tim Watson has also technically done it.
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Watson, who played in three premierships across a brilliant 307-game career, retired at the end of the 1991 season after struggling with injury.
And despite having zero intention to continue his career, West Coast made the shock decision to draft the classy midfielder in the pre-season draft.
Watson had a commentary role with Channel 7 in 1992 and never set foot at West Coast as they went on to not only make the grand final, but win the premiership.
Watson then came out of retirement and returned to Essendon in 1993 to help the young Bombers win the grand final before retiring for good at the end of 1994.
While Gunston and Watson are now linked with the quirky fact, it should be noted that Gunston was the only one to actually play games for the other club.
Since 2000 there have been 22 players to return and play for their previous club.
Gary Ablett Jnr: Geelong (2002-10), Gold Coast (2011-17), Geelong (2018-20)
John Barnes: Essendon (1987-91), Geelong (1992-99), Essendon (2000-01)
Dayne Beams: Collingwood (2009-14), Brisbane (2015-18), Collingwood (2019-20)
Peter Bell: Fremantle (1995), North Melbourne (1996-2000), Fremantle (2001-08)
Eddie Betts: Carlton (2005-13), Adelaide (2014-19), Carlton (2020-21)
Heath Black: Fremantle (1997-01), St Kilda (2002-04), Fremantle (2005-08)
Josh Carr: Port Adelaide (2000-04), Fremantle (2005-08), Port Adelaide (2009-10)
Trent Croad: Hawthorn (1998-2001), Fremantle (2002-03), Hawthorn (2004-08)
Jack Gunston: Adelaide (2010-11), Hawthorn (2012-22), Brisbane (2023), Hawthorn (2024-)
Chris Heffernan: Essendon (1997-02), Melbourne (2002-05), Essendon (2006-07)
Liam Jones: Western Bulldogs (2010-14), Carlton (2015-21), Western Bulldogs (2023-)
Nathan Krakouer: Port Adelaide (2007-10), Gold Coast (2011), Port Adelaide (2015-17)
Aaron Lord: Geelong (1994-96), Hawthorn (1997-2001), Geelong (2002-03)
Corey McKernan: North Melbourne (1993-2001), Carlton (2002-03), North Melbourne (2004)
Adam McPhee: Fremantle (2001-02), Essendon (2003-09), Fremantle (2010-12)
Brett Montgomery: Western Bulldogs (1997-99), Port Adelaide (2000-05), Western Bulldogs (2006-07)
Justin Murphy: Richmond (1994-95), Carlton (1996-00), Geelong (2001), Carlton (2002-03), Essendon (2004-05)
Daniel Pratt: North Melbourne (2002), Brisbane (2003-04), North Melbourne (2005-11)
Paul Salmon: Essendon (1983-95), Hawthorn (1996-2000), Essendon (2002)
Zac Smith: Gold Coast (2011-15), Geelong (2016-19), Gold Coast (2020-21)
Chris Tarrant: Collingwood (1998-06), Fremantle (2007-10), Collingwood (2011-12)
Brad Wira: Fremantle (1995), Western Bulldogs (1996-98), Fremantle (1999-2001)
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