NO ONE knows Hawthorn’s injury concerns better than Stephen Gilham.

All year long, the tall defender has battled a persistent knee injury that he has only just started getting over.

He first injured the knee in the NAB Cup game against Carlton before coming back for the round three clash with North Melbourne.

But he had a couple of setbacks and didn’t play again until round 14.

He admits frustration at being confined to the stands while his teammates struggled in the early part of the season.

“I’d get to a certain level that would allow me to train pretty strongly but when I’d do a fitness test where I had to go off the mark with any intensity, my knee wouldn’t allow it," Gilham said.

"Because I’d been out for so long, the actual feeling of running again was what I’d had to build on. I had to do a fair few running drills to run properly again.

“I just had to stick at it, I videoed my running so I could see it and improve on it. Everyone told me that if I gave it time, it would come and it did.”

Gilham returned to quickly become the lynchpin of the Hawthorn defence. With Trent Croad still on the sidelines, Gilham found himself in unfamiliar territory being one of the more experienced players down back.

The 24-year-old said Croad’s absence was felt among the defenders.

“He has the most experience and physically he has got a massive presence out there. I’ve tried to take a bit of that on since I’ve come back,” he said.

“I’m taking young Ryan Schoenmakers under my wing and hopefully I can do for him what Croady’s done for me. Croady still comes to all our meetings and preparation each week. He’s out there training now which is a big help.”

Gilham says he is slowly getting used to playing the role of mentor and says he is trying to develop his skills as a leader.

“I’m looking forward to that added responsibility especially with Hodgey going in to the midfield the last couple of weeks,” he said.

“He was very vocal and had a massive presence down there. We are all going to have to take that on because I don’t think just one guy can cover those two guys (Croad and Hodge).”

Gilham’s career hasn’t come easy.

He spent three years at Port Adelaide for just one game before working his way back up through Hawthorn’s rookie list.

Now, as an integral part of the Hawks’ unit he is trying to pass on his words of wisdom.

“I’ve worked pretty hard and I want to help other guys," he said. "I’m in a stage now especially at Hawthorn where the list is so inexperienced and young that I am in a great position to help some of those guys out.

“That is a way I can show leadership but also out on the ground – the responsibility of getting a key defensive post every week and doing my job but also helping other guys do theirs as well is something I’m looking forward to and want to do.”