Jack Gunston got the call a few weeks ago: he’d made the All-Australian team. He hung up the phone and instinctively went to call his Dad, Ray.

Ray died three years ago. Jack’s dad might be gone but the urge to call him isn’t. Every time he has news, every time there is something big or small happening in his life, he reaches for his phone to tell Ray.

Jack Gunston returned to the Hawks as an on-field coach, and ended up kicking 62 goals. Credit: Wayne Taylor

Each night before a game his phone now stays silent. It used to ping with a text from Ray, just a little message of encouragement, always positive, always telling Jack his strengths and a tip on his opponent or opposition. The next day, every game day, Ray would be there watching from near the forward flank, moustache twitching

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