AFL chairman Richard Goyder paid tribute to Gunston.
“We will long remember Ray’s contribution to the AFL and football. His legacy contributions included the acquisition of Marvel Stadium and raising a credit facility during COVID that helped the industry get through it,” he said.
“Ray was also a proud footballing father,attending Jack’s matches for Adelaide and Hawthorn and not being able to sit still in his seat,he was often seen pacing around the stadium concourse during those matches.”
Gunston had joined the AFL in 2015,having taken over as interim chief executive of the Bombers during 2013,when then CEO Ian Robson quit in the wake of the club’s supplements scandal,but he chose not to pursue the position full-time.
Gunston was a well-liked and respected member of the AFL’s executive group,bringing a wealth of experience from his days as chief financial officer of the Tatts Group and as a board member of other companies,including Sigma Healthcare.
While clubs can have fractious dealings with AFL executives and complaints about head office,criticism of the composed and ever-reasonable Gunston was a rarity from clubs.
He briefly served on the Essendon board some years before his stint as interim CEO of the Bombers.
He played with Strathmore in the EDFL for the majority of his career and for three years with Brunswick in the VFA (1979-81). He began with Strathmore in 1967 at junior level,and was a member of the 1984 premiership team. He was honoured with life membership in 1989.
Essendon president Paul Brasher paid tribute to Gunston for his service to the club.
“Ray was an incredibly well-qualified individual to lead the Essendon Football Club during a dark period,” Brasher told the club’s website.
“He brought a calming leadership style and expertise to the organisation when it was needed most,and he will be remembered at our club for the sound stability and direction he provided during this period.
“He was a great friend to many people at all levels at our club.”
Gunston and his wife Mandy were well known to Hawthorn as parents of triple-premiership forward Jack Gunston and well-liked by the leadership of the club for his principled and understated style.
Hawthorn said in a statement the club was deeply saddened by the news.
“He was a loving husband,father and grandfather who never missed one of Jack’s matches,” the Hawks’ statement said.
“He was an important part of the Hawthorn family and our thoughts are with Mandy,Jack and Kate and those close to them.”