Jack Gunston had managed just 10 goals from nine games in 2019.
In game 10, Gunston grabbed six as Hawthorn vaulted back into the top eight with a 31-point win over Port Adelaide at University of Tasmania Stadium on Saturday.
It was Gunston's first six-goal haul in four years, but the result mattered most for Alastair Clarkson's side in the 12.8 (80) to 6.13 (49) victory.
Young Hawks forward Mitch Lewis was a late withdrawal due to concussion, leaving Gunston with work to do.
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Get to work he did - a highlight for Gunston was a brilliant soccer effort midway through the third term.
Wew boy Jack Gunston!#AFLHawksPower pic.twitter.com/0HdbaXJ0cn
— AFL (@AFL) May 25, 2019
In tough conditions, it was a rotten day for Ken Hinkley's side, with Port Adelaide having tasted victory in one of their past four games.
The Power may be without midfielder Tom Rockliff, who failed to finish the game after leaving the field in the third term with a left hamstring injury. Hawthorn defender Jack Scrimshaw also suffered a knee injury in the third quarter.
Aside from Gunston, Ricky Henderson will keep Clarkson happy after another strong showing, putting on a game-high - and career-high - 37 possessions.
However, despite Hawthorn improving to a 5-5 win-loss record, Clarkson is still unsure where his side sits in the pecking order.
"We've had to work really, really hard to get to 5-5," the Hawks coach said after the game.
"It's really hard to get a read for the overall football community and even us as a footy club to know where we're at.
"Are we a little bit better than that or are we lucky that we're 5-5? I don't really know. I wish I did. All I do know is we're still alive in the season.
"No team is playing their very, very best footy at the present time outside probably Geelong. The competition is very, very close."
