Jack Gunston during the round 19 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Carlton Blues at Aurora Stadium on July 30, 2016 in Launceston, Australia.

Three-time Hawthorn premiership player Jack Gunston will return to the forward line in 2018.

Gunston's return to where he kicked over 50 goals in three straight years before his move to defence comes as a result of the recovery of key defensive pillars James Frawley, Ben Stratton and Grant Birchall.

Despite showing strong form across half-back in the second half of 2017, Gunston will be hoping to boost a Hawthorn attack which ranked 13th in points-for last season, it's 83-points-per-game the club's lowest total since 2006.

“With all the numbers coming back into backline like James Frawley, Ben Stratton and Grant Birchall then there’s not much room down there,” Gunston told SEN’s Time On with Sam McClure.

“I’ve been doing a fair bit up forward which is a bit more natural to me so I think I’ll be giving forward a crack again this year.”

Hawthorn's forward line has the potential to return to its dangerous best this season, with an injury-free Cyril Rioli and Jarryd Roughead (a return-season under his belt) accompanying the sharp-shooting Gunston.

“I’ve always loved playing up forward, kicking goals and the excitement factor up there and adapted myself to that role," Gunston said.

“In saying that it was great to be able to go back this year and try something new and get a feel for what it is like back there.”

Gunston believes 2018 is "an exciting time for the Hawks", with a fit Jaeger O'Meara and a developing young core set to catapult the Hawks back to finals contention.

Hawthorn kicks off it's 2018 season with a Saturday night blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG.