27. Steve Gilham

[philhawk]

According to the My Man Thread (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291068), it looks like Hawk0373 will be one of the posters responsible for looking after Gilham for us this season.

Take it away, Hawk0373!

[Hawk0373]

Stephen Gilham
Age: 22
Ht: 192cm
Wt: 90kg

Selection no. 16 by Port Adelaide in the 2002 national draft from Oakleigh Chargers. Ht 190cm, Wt 75kg.

Managed 1 senior game in a team which frinished top H&A in '02 & '03 and won the premiership in '04.

Selected in the 2005 pre season draft then elevated from the rookie list in 2006.

From Tuesday's with Todd.

'Gilly' is 'Mr Professional'. He does everything right. His nickname was 'Splinter' when he was at Port Adelaide, but bit by bit and year by year, he's managed to build up his body. Now he's a strongly built, reliable defender. Consistent and doesn't miss a training session.

Big 2007 coming up:thumbsu:

[Roughie]

Had a perfect preseason! And I am confident he will carry it on!

[jase]

carve it up Gilly,I'm sure im not the only hawker looking for an exciting backman, take your chances, it could be your year:thumbsu:

[Roughie]

Had a good one tonight!

[Hawk0373]

He was a real positive in an otherwise terrible night. Very composed and reads the play well - not bad for a 6 gamer. Thought the defence in general was very good, restricting Brisbane to only 9 goals. Pity we couldn't boot more up the other end.

[FootyLover1964]

He was a real positive in an otherwise terrible night. Very composed and reads the play well - not bad for a 6 gamer. Thought the defence in general was very good, restricting Brisbane to only 9 goals. Pity we couldn't boot more up the other end.

Thought he did well and was impressed. The defence held it up ok hoiwever the offence run by our backline was nil. The way to put pressyre on the opposition is to make them chase you by creating options. Yoy can't do that when half of them don't get out of a trot!

[Mitchell Madness]

I was doubtful of him getting a game last year, mainly because i had not seen much of him at Box Hill. But now everytime i look at the lineup for the game, i Search for sammy, followed by Gilly. Only a matter of time before opposition teams start to fear the Gilly matchup. 5 weeks without a goal kicked on him this year, hes doing well

[cradle of filth]

He really looks like our answer to our defensive woes but i still think his 90kg is a problem.

[Roughie]

He really looks like our answer to our defensive woes but i still think his 90kg is a problem.

^ Do you think he can put some more weight on? He is not as tall as Dawson and he has been in the system for a decent ammount of years. So I sorta share the concern that he may not get much higher then 90kg's.

[Hawk0373]

At 18, 191cm and 76kg

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200510/r60960_167824.jpg

At 22, 192cm and 90kg

http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/portals/0/images/players/hawks/__Main_27StephenGilham.jpg

Jacobs was 88kgs at the same age, he's now 97kg. No reason why Gilly can't keep building his legs and upper body whilst maintaining his agility.:thumbsu:

[hawkstars]

I rate this guy very highly and he is going to do huge things this year!

[Hawk0373]

Practising what he preaches




LEADING a healthy lifestyle isn’t just something that comes hand in hand with being a professional footballer for Hawthorn’s Stephen Gilham.
The former Port Adelaide player is studying Health Promotion at Deakin University and is passionate about spreading the gospel of an active lifestyle, especially to kids.
“I first got involved when I was in Adelaide in a community youth program which Port Adelaide ran,” Gilham says.
“What we did was go out to schools for a month at a time, and then go out there one day a week and promote an active lifestyle and try and get them on the right track and introduce them to healthy eating and what they should be doing exercise wise during the week.”
The 22-year-old says it’s an area he’s like to work in again.
“I’ll hopefully have a long career with football, but after that I’d like to go into schools and help young kids get on the right track with living a healthy lifestyle and everything that encompasses,” Gilham says.
“It’s a big issue in Australia and right around the world at the moment. Kids are struggling with that sort of stuff so if I could help them a little bit that would be great.”
The full-back, who is originally from Melbourne, has enjoyed being back home since his arrival at Waverley Park.
“It was great to get back home,” he said.
“I spent three years in Adelaide and I learnt a lot over there but to get back home to my friends and family and to start my next football journey at Hawthorn has been great and it’s been a perfect fit. Hopefully they like having me here and I can stay for a lot of years to come.”
The move was made even easier by the presence of some of his former Power colleagues.
“Alastair (Clarkson) was assistant coach there for two years so that’s been a great benefit. Also I played with Damien Harwick who’s now as assistant coach and also Andrew Russell who’s coaching at Hawthorn now. I also played a year with Brent Guerra over there too,” Gilham says.
“There’s quite a few Port people who’ve come back to Hawthorn so it’s great for us all to reunite.”
After starting last season on the rookie list, only to be elevated to the seniors for the last four matches of the year, Gilham is delighted to be getting some continuity into his footy.
“It’s just good to be on the ground and stringing seven games together so far,” he said. “It’s the most I’ve ever played consecutively so I’m learning a lot every week, but just been able to get experiences every match and being able to put that in place for the following week has been of great benefit for me.”

[philhawk]

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/gilham-relishes-the-winds-of-change/2007/08/18/1186857845612.html?page=1


Gilham relishes the winds of change
Rod Curtis | August 19, 2007

STEPHEN Gilham hopes there is a cold snap in the air today. That the wind is up at Launceston, and that as it whistles across Aurora Stadium, it delivers Hawthorn an edge.

There's nothing between the Hawks and Port Adelaide. They sit second and third, locked on 48 points, separated by fewer than two percentage points, and know each other intimately.

But Hawthorn knows the ground. "I see it as a massive advantage," Gilham said. "It's such a different ground to anywhere else in the country. It's so open, so the wind comes through. Clubs might play there once a year, if not every two years. But we know the lie of the land, we've got a game style down there that works for us, and it feels like our home deck."

Gilham enjoys feeling at home. It's been a long time coming. Raised in East Doncaster, the rangy defender was taken at pick 16 in the 2002 draft and whisked away to Port Adelaide, where he played only one game in three long seasons. Yet today, as he faces the team that delisted him, there's no hard feelings, just an appreciation for what he learnt along the way.

"Just the whole aspect of moving away, starting from scratch, seeing how they work, being involved in a premiership year — I can count on one hand the amount of games they lost in three years. I see that as being my apprenticeship."

It was an apprenticeship spent deep in defence at the North Adelaide Roosters. And although the 50 games he spent in red and white at the SANFL at times felt a world away from AFL football, Gilham wouldn't change it. "It gave me a really good grounding. It's a bit of an older, bigger-body competition than the VFL, where it's a lot younger and quicker."

Gilham could be forgiven for carrying some bitterness. After a junior career at Beverley Hills — "Paul Roos' club" — his stocks grew as quickly as he did. He played under-17 cricket for Victoria, "mainly bowling", played good football for the Oakleigh Chargers, and was named captain of Vic Metro.

"Things sort of moved pretty rapidly. It's hard as a kid. You were captain of Vic Metro — the previous captain to me was Chris Judd. So, from that point of view, you think, 'How good's this, I might get a red carpet here.' I knew nothing about Port Adelaide, nothing about the SANFL, so I went there and had to start again."

Then in his third year, after a long fight with osteitis pubis, Gilham dislocated his A/C shoulder joint in his first game back. Delisted, Gilham's career looked over before it had really begun.

Then his luck turned. As fate would have it, Power assistant coach Alastair Clarkson was named the coach of Hawthorn and Gilham was added to the Hawks' rookie list.

"It was all pretty familiar for me," Gilham admits. "I'd had two years of Clarko's coaching, I was up to speed with what was going on. It was interesting — when I arrived, I was explaining some of the training drills to the players, even though I was a first-year rookie at Hawthorn."

Gilham tore into his football at Box Hill. "I sort of busted down the door with the footy I was playing." Then, on the Saturday of round 19 last year, he was watching a mate play football at Albert Park when the phone rang. It was Clarkson. "My heart started racing and Clarko said, 'Mate, you're in, and you're probably going to start on the ground.' We played Carlton at the 'G. And I haven't missed a game since."

Now 24 games into his career, Gilham, with his ability to read the play and his pinpoint disposal, has become a crucial running cog in Hawthorn's underrated defence.

And although Clarkson still occasionally calls him "Splinter" with a wink, the rest of the club knows him as "Gilly" — "even my girlfriend introduces me as Gilly".

And while Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and the Hawks' much-vaunted midfield snare the bulk of the publicity, Hawthorn's back six, wrapped around Trent Croad, Campbell Brown, and increasingly, the likes of Gilham, just get the job done.

At 191 centimetres and 91 kilograms, Gilham knows he needs another few kilograms of muscle to compete with the monsters. Even as he sits in the cafe under Hawthorn's offices, sucking on a milkshake, weight remains a goal.

"To play on the bigger guys, I'll have to get a bit heavier, to help out Croady and Browny, to free those guys up. But I'm also mindful that I'm never going to be a monster of a man, and my attributes of reading the play and my skills — I don't want to go too far away from them either."

In his one game in three years at Port Adelaide, Gilham managed just 27 minutes of game time. This year, he was handed Johnny Barker's No. 27 jumper.

And after a long apprenticeship, if all goes well, he'll have 27 games under his belt come September. It's been a while coming, but the numbers are starting to add up for Stephen Gilham.

[GNCLongJack]

He's only 23 on fathers' day. He was only 84kgs at Port, and when he crossed over to the HAWKS. The HAWKS have helped him put on 7kg. Well done staff ! His merit of being Captain of Vic. Metro, is still on display with his cool head. At the "MCG" if you don't mind, against the Dons, he kicked his first ever AFL goal. Now played 24 games for 16 wins. East Doncaster must seem another life away, now that his career has turned around so dramatically. He has been a huge acquisition for the HAWKS.:cool:

[Hawk0373]

Stephen Gilham
Age: 22
Ht: 192cm
Wt: 90kg

Selection no. 16 by Port Adelaide in the 2002 national draft from Oakleigh Chargers. Ht 190cm, Wt 75kg.

Managed 1 senior game in a team which frinished top H&A in '02 & '03 and won the premiership in '04.

Selected in the 2005 pre season draft then elevated from the rookie list in 2006.

From Tuesday's with Todd.

'Gilly' is 'Mr Professional'. He does everything right. His nickname was 'Splinter' when he was at Port Adelaide, but bit by bit and year by year, he's managed to build up his body. Now he's a strongly built, reliable defender. Consistent and doesn't miss a training session.

Big 2007 coming up:thumbsu:

Bigger 2008 coming up...

Comparisons to AA Full Back Darren glass in 2007

Stephen Gilham Darren Glass
23 Age 26
192cm Height 192cm
90kg Weight 95kg
13.3 Avg Disposals 11.5
6.3 Avg Marks 3.6
1.5 Avg Tackles 1.2
+6 Free Kick Diff +1
1 Goals 1

Give it a couple of years - he will be a beauty:thumbsu:

[matty_hawk]

Bigger 2008 coming up...

Comparisons to AA Full Back Darren glass in 2007

Stephen Gilham Darren Glass
23 Age 26
192cm Height 192cm
90kg Weight 95kg
13.3 Avg Disposals 11.5
6.3 Avg Marks 3.6
1.5 Avg Tackles 1.2
+6 Free Kick Diff +1
1 Goals 1

Give it a couple of years - he will be a beauty:thumbsu:

how many goals against did he have for the year? good to see the defenders stats for once.

[Hawk0373]

how many goals against did he have for the year? good to see the defenders stats for once.

Tried looking for goals kicked against and his opponents for each game - couldn't find anything.

[RustyHawk]

Stephen Gilham won the prize for the most improved footballer at Hawthorn in season 2007.

Sewell claims first Peter Crimmins Medal
11:01 PM Sat 6 October, 2007 | Back


for hawthornfc.com.au

News
DANGEROUS midfielder Brad Sewell claimed his first Peter Crimmins Medal after a nail-biting finish in front of a 1300 strong crowd at Crown’s Palladium on Saturday night.

In the count to decide the 2007 Hawthorn club champion, Sewell (173 votes) and eventual runner-up Campbell Brown (172 votes) went into the semi final against the Kangaroos on equal votes.

However, Sewell scored the winning votes after his solid performance to narrowly defeat Brown. 2005 Peter Crimmins Medallist Luke Hodge topped off another consistent year finishing in third position.

After four seasons and 64 games, Sewell’s achievement crowns another sensational year for the 23-year-old, who played every game for the second consecutive season.

Shifted from a small defender’s role to the midfield, Sewell averaged 21 possessions per game – the biggest return coming in round 21 against the Western Bulldogs when he picked up 39.

He laid the most tackles of any Hawk with 104 for the season and had his fair share of clearances. He also managed to curb the influence of a number of the big names in the AFL including Chris Judd, Shannon Grant, Paul Chapman and Adam Goodes.

In other awards, Stephen Gilham was named the Most Improved after stepping up as a key defender and playing every game since his elevation from the rookie list in round 19, 2006. Gilham’s willingness to keep learning and working hard won him the honour.

Sewell also picked up the club’s award for the best player in the finals, while Brent Guerra was rewarded for his hard working year at half-back securing the Most Consistent award.

Xavier Ellis was named the best first year player for his impressive debut season.

In his second year at the club, Ellis made his debut in round one and played a total of 13 games for the season, switching between the wing and half-back.

The contribution of retiring trio Richie Vandenberg, Ben Dixon and Joel Smith was acknowledged during a fitting tribute to the popular players.

Vandenberg was also awarded Best Clubman, an acknowledgment of how his peers regard him.

The Peter Crimmins Medal - an Olympic-sized gold medal depicting a sculptured image of the former Hawthorn champion - was presented to Sewell by Crimmins’ wife Gwen who attended the awards with son Sam and daughter Amber.

Crimmins was vice-captain of the 1971 premiership team and captain for two years from 1974. He fell ill with cancer on the eve of the 1974 finals series, missing September action that year.

However, the ‘little fellow’ made a return from treatment to play at the start of the 1975 season. In round six that year Crimmins had to return for intensive treatment and never played senior football again.

Club awards
Best Clubman - Richie Vandenberg
Most Improved - Stephen Gilham
Best First Year Player - Xavier Ellis
Most Consistent - Brent Guerra
Leading Goalkicker - Lance Franklin
Most Votes in the Brownlow - Sam Mitchell

Peter Crimmins Medal voting – top ten
Brad Sewell - 173
Campbell Brown - 172
Luke Hodge - 161
Jordan Lewis - 154
Sam Mitchell - 137
Lance Franklin - 136
Brent Guerra - 136
Shane Crawford - 126
Trent Croad - 121
Rick Ladson - 116

Peter Crimmins Medal voting procedure
Votes for the 2007 Peter Crimmins Medal were awarded by the match committee, consisting of senior coach Alastair Clarkson and assistants Todd Viney, Damien Hardwick and Ross Smith after each home-and-away and finals match.

A maximum of 16 votes could be accumulated by a player after the four coaches’ voting cards were submitted using the following grading system:

- three votes to the best player or players

- two votes for a good game

- one vote to players who beat their opponents

On rare occasions a player or players may receive four votes for an exceptional game.

There is no restriction on the number of players who receive votes in a match.

[RustyHawk]

September success motivates Gilham
3:34 PM Wed 17 October, 2007 | Back

By Catherine Murphy

for hawthornfc.com.au

News
STEPEHN Gilham might have landed the most improved player at this year's Hawthorn best and fairest count but as far as he's concerned he's got a lot more work to do.

In fact, the 23-year-old is gearing himself up for what he believes will be a hectic pre-season.

"I've already identified areas from this year that I want to improve on," Gilham said.

"I've gone through my tapes with the coaches and by myself. I want to take more marks next year so I'll definitely be working on my marking and also my kicking.

"I want to have another really good pre-season and get the running base back in and put on a couple of kilos and get stronger as well. I know it sounds like a lot but hopefully I can do it."

The ambitious youngster believes a solid pre-season last year is what set him up for a stellar league campaign, during which he played every game after playing just four last year.

"I completed every session so I got my fitness up and then I was able to play every game and was conditioned to, which really went a long way to getting my award (most improved player) and my improvement this year."

Drafted as a rookie to the Hawks in the 2006 draft, after spending three seasons with Port Adelaide, Gilham says memories of his side's win over the Crows in the elimination final will keep him motivated through the tough pre-season schedule.

"The way we finished was a bit disappointing but to taste that bit of success in September, the win against Adelaide, was fantastic. That will be in my mind during pre-season and a good way to stir me up.

"It (the pre-season) is really tough both mentally and physically so it's good to have the break beforehand but I'm looking forward to getting back into it."

Gilham has had to forsake his once favourite off-season past-time of cricket in favour of a tougher training regime.

"It's OK to have a hit and a bowl every now and then. It can be a form of recovery. A lot of the boys play indoor cricket at the club but that's about the extent of it for me.

"I enjoy watching it still but I don't get to play because after the football season you need a good break, so I'm looking forward to going down to the beach a bit more than playing cricket."

Gilham acknowledges that the departure of club stalwarts Richie Vandenberg, Joel Smith and Ben Dixon will leave a gulf in experience at the club but he believes that it's a challenge the young list will be able to overcome.

"Because our group is so young, those guys (retirees) were so important and they played a big role in some of the guys' development so far.

"The guys who are now in their second or third year with the club are really going to have to step up and under Sam's (Mitchell) guidance we'll be fine.

He's a tremendous character of the club and is well respected among the players and I'm sure he'll have lots of great ideas to speed up the leadership process."

Despite the absence of the retirees' names from the playing list, Gilham is confident that he and his team mates haven't seen the last of the boys around the club.

"I'm sure they'll stay around the club for years to come; they just won't be playing. They should be around to bounce ideas off and hopefully we'll see them in the rooms after the games."

[Big Ronnie]

Nothing better than watching a player step up to another level through the organisation and structure of a team that can bring out the best in a guy.

lot of people saying Dawson about to step up, going to be hard with the incline in Gillhams performance. Could really become our rock down back in 2008.

Go Gilly!:thumbsu:

[RustyHawk]

Stephen Gilham was one of the Hawks who participated in the 2nd Kokoda trip. Here is his diary of that event. Nov 30-Dec 8 2007

Gilham's Kokoda Diary: Day 1
4:35 PM Mon 10 December, 2007 | Back

Stephen Gilham

for hawthornfc.com.au

News
Over the next fortnight Hawks defender, Stephen Gilham, will share his thoughts from the Kokoda Track. Day 1 sees the players arrive by light aircraft at the small grass air strip of Kokoda, making a visit to the Kokoda War Museum before making camp at the village of Hoi.

We flew into Kokoda Airstrip on a 20 seater plane. Some of the boys were a little nervous but the flight was pretty smooth although at times you could almost touch the tops of the trees. Throughout the flight I was looking out the front window as you could see straight into the cockpit. The terrain looked amazing from the air – so dense. It took 25 minutes to fly to the start of the track and it would take eight days to walk back. I wonder what is ahead?

We were greeted at the Airstrip by hundreds of villagers. It was a hot day – as soon as you stepped out of the plane you noticed the sun just beating down on you. We then walked along the grass runway in search of the Kokoda township and shade of the Jungle canopy – which you could see in the distance.

As we rose onto the Kokoda plateau you could see up the valley to the north were the Japanese had advanced from – and where the Aussies where first outflanked as they retreated back along the Kokoda Track towards Port Moresby.

After stopping in the little settlement of Kokoda and walking through the war museum and taking a moment to start thinking about why we were here. We weren’t long into the walk when Al – the tour leader from Executive Excellence gave us 15kg sandbags to accompany us through the remainder of the days walking.

We are now in the little village of Hoi which has a great creek running through it which we all used to soak in at the end of the day. Dinner was okay – pasta for 40! Now it’s off to bed after a bit of cards. 5am rise in the morning – 6am start. I’m sure we are going to need our rest over the next few days.


Tune in tomorrow for Day 2 of Stephen Gilham’s Kokoda diary and check out HawksTV’s daily Kokoda video diary – Day 1 online now!

[RustyHawk]

Gilham's Kokoda Diary: Day 2
6:03 PM Tue 11 December, 2007 | Back


for hawthornfc.com.au

News
In today’s Kokoda diary entry, Hawks defender Stephen Gilham, takes us to Isurava, where the four pillars of Kokoda leave an indelible impression on the young Hawks.

We started the day with an early climb, rolling out of camp at 6:30am after a 5am wake-up call. Again we carried the 15kg sandbags on our shoulders, which along with our backpacks would become a regular companion along the track. After 40 minutes we reached the lovely village of Deniki where we had a ‘brew’ (cup of coffee, tea or just water).

The Track gets a little more difficult as we progress into the Owen Stanley Range on our way to Isurava, where the four pillars of Kokoda stand; mateship, courage, endurance and sacrifice. We spent almost two hours at Isurava, listening to readings and recounting the stories of the brave men who fought for our country. Many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice, all of whom are heroes.

We had heard so much about these men of the Kokoda Track in the lead up to the trek – but to be standing here, at Isurava, is a humbling experience.

For dinner tonight we had choko vine and local sweet potato along with rice. The choko vine is a bit like spinach I was told by the boys – they had finished it by the time I got to the pot. It covers the ground everywhere here. We are literally eating the jungle!

We’re about 20km into the walk now and we are building up to some of the toughest days – with even tougher challenges ahead I am sure. We’ll see what the Coach and Al the tour leader have install for us….


Tune in tomorrow for Day 3 of Stephen Gilham’s Kokoda diary and check out HawksTV’s daily Kokoda video diary – Day 1 and Day 2 online now!

[vanders]

Gilham's Kokoda Diary: Day 3

6:38 PM Wed 12 December, 2007 | Back

Stephen Gilham

for hawthornfc.com.au
News

In today’s Kokoda diary entry, Stephen Gilham reflects on his day as a stretcher bearer – trudging through the mud – in one of the most unforgiving landscapes on earth.


It’s a battle some days to remember everything that happened. Each day feels like about 10 days packed into one. We see such a varied landscape – up hills, river crossings, through jungle, across plateaus, then down hills again…

This morning was long – but without the sandbags we moved quickly from the Village of Alola. But that wasn’t to last. We picked up stretchers and broke up in to teams of five; four on the stretchers, one carrying an extra sandbag and the walking sticks. On the stretcher we carried three 20kg sandbags to replicate an injured solder.

Fatigue starts to really test us out here. After four or five hours of waking under that kind of pressure and weight, through muddy terrain as the thunderstorms crack over head, it really tests us all.

I’ll sleep well tonight at Templeton’s crossing. The camp site is cut out of the side of the hill, descending steeply to the river below. The earth is red – very different from the grass that we slept on the previous two nights.

I have had last watch. Each stop we make or camp we set up – a different player is appointed as platoon sergeant. He nominates players as soldiers to guard the perimeter – much like those diggers 65 years before us would have done. It’s dark and a little damp out – but the sky is full of stars as the clouds clear.


Tune in tomorrow for Day 4 of Stephen Gilham’s Kokoda diary and check out HawksTV’s daily Kokoda video diary – the first 3 days now online now!

[vanders]

Gilham's Kokoda Diary: Day 4

3:38 PM Thu 13 December, 2007 | Back

Stephen Gilham

for hawthornfc.com.au
News

Stephen Gilham gets a photo with a living Kokoda legend, plays stretcher bearer up one massive New Guinea hill and shelters from a jungle storm.

We made camp at Efogi Two Village after 18km of challenges. It was a tough day both mentally and physically.

We started walking at 6:30am and at 6:35am we saw the stretchers on the track with sandbags and we knew we were in for a big day. I worked with Cyril, Musto, Tucky and Boiler. It was a really tough way to start the day and left most of the boys fatigued for most of the day. We had to carry the stretchers through rugged terrain – changing from shoulder to shoulder and at times carrying it on our hips.

We finally downed-stretchers late morning once we had climbed to the top of a massive mountain. Another two hours walk down and we stopped in the village of Naduli to have an audience with one of the last surviving Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, Ovuru Indiki, and have a rest over lunch.

Indiki is now 102 years old. He, along with hundreds of his countrymen were crucial to the Australian’s war efforts in the 1940s. I can’t wait to share my photo with Iniki with my grandfather.

After lunch we set off again, mixing the corporate and playing groups so we could all share a story. However, to just make it that bit more challenging, we gave up our normal 15kg backpacks for the afternoon and swapped them with the porters packs – which were around twice as heavy.

We made camp at Efogi – probably the biggest village along the track. The thunder is cracking over head – the deep night’s sky is flashing white as the storm gets closer.


Tune in next Monday for Day 5 of Stephen Gilham’s Kokoda diary and check out HawksTV’s daily Kokoda video diary!

Day 4 video diary will be two parts, with Part 2 available on Friday afternoon.

[vanders]

Gilham's Kokoda Diary: Day 5

5:02 PM Mon 17 December, 2007 | Back

for hawthornfc.com.au
News

In today’s Kokoda diary entry, Stephen Gilham joins the players as they dig ‘gunning’ holes late in to the night – and shares a very special day of remembrance with the Hawks at Brigade Hill.

We got into camp at Brown River after a long days walking and an emotional remembrance service at Brigade Hill.

Our platoon sergeant, Jarryd Morton, gathered us around at camp just before dinner and instructed us that we needed to break into five teams and dig five holes, one after the other. The holes were deep enough to have three men stand in at chest height – and would have been used at gunning holes in the war. The boys dug well into the night – the last hole was completed just past 1am.

I was teamed with ‘Junior’ (Cyril Rioli) and Clinton Young. Junior almost dug the hole himself – he was on fire. Simon Taylor commented to me later that he reckons it was the most he had ever sweated.

The day started in Efogi and we climbed quickly to Mission Ridge and then on to Brigade Hill.

At Brigade Hill we stopped and had a remembrance service for those who had sacrificed so much for our country. We linked arms with the Papuan porters. It was a very emotional day. It’s only when you stand there, in silence, having endured the harshness of the Kokoda Track – that you can fully appreciate the sacrifice that was made.

[vanders]

Gilham's Kokoda Diary: Day 6

6:01 PM Wed 19 December, 2007 | Back

Stephen Gilham

for hawthornfc.com.au
News

Today Stephen Gilham digs another hole, walks a 400kg ‘mountain gun’ up a hill, learns an important lesson about his fellow Hawks and earns a well earned refreshing swim at the end of a long day.

I thought yesterday was the hardest day – but today topped the lot. In rotations of three, two on the log and one walking a sand bag, we wrestled, pulled and clawed a ‘mountain gun’ (in the form 400kg log) up nine false peaks in over four hours of walking.

I think challenges like this can only bring a group closer together. The only way the ‘mountain gun’ was going to get to the top was as a team. So you just do it. Today was double the challenge, double the weight, we needed double the communication to keep everyone moving together.

When we got to the top Al, the camp leader, called us in as a group and instructed us that after four hours of gruelling climbing, we needed to turn around and head back down to where we began, pick up a’ firing pin’ that had been missed on the initial mission and walk back to the top.

Just before we rolled out – Al said “Stand down – it appears we’ve found the firing pin.” It would have been a six hour round trip. No one complained – no one muttered a word when the instruction was given, and no one muttered a word when we were asked to stand down. It says a lot about where we are at as a group.

A mention goes to Brent Renouf who put in a special effort in the challenge. It’s been a great opportunity for the younger guys to show leadership – now their challenge is to bring that home.

We finished the day cooling off our bodies in a great natural pool. There were a lot of blank faces just staring in to the distance – contemplating what we had just done. It was really tough day - and it was great to look back on.

So we made camp at Ofi Creek – and guess what – we dug another hole. This time we didn’t have to fill it back in. The Villagers will use it as a toilet – so at least we feel like it will be put to good use!


Tune in tomorrow for Day 7 of Stephen Gilham’s Kokoda diary and check out HawksTV’s daily Kokoda video diary – now online!

[vanders]

Gilham's Kokoda Diary: Day 7

2:50 PM Thu 20 December, 2007 | Back

Stephen Gilham

for hawthornfc.com.au
News

Stephen Gilham spends the morning wading through rivers and crossing creeks, and walks in the footsteps of the 39th Battalion as Hawthorn reaches the Imita Gap.

We started the day with sandbags, filled with the clay from the toilet pit we had dug the night before. Clay is a lot more dense than sand and the weight of the bags has been increasing every day along the track as the soil changed.

Today we walked alongside our corporate partners that have helped make this trek possible. It was good to spend some more time with them during the day. We have all gone through a similar experience out here – so there was plenty to talk about.

We spent the morning making no less than eight river crossings. We kept our boots on and walked in wet shoes – which only added to the experience and helped us understanding a little more of what the diggers went through.

After lunch the corporates went ahead and the players gathered around Clarko. Although we had one more day remaining – this afternoon we would climb to the Imita Gap, which was the last place the Aussies were pushed back to – before the Japanese retreated and the Australians again advanced and won the war of Kokoda.

After seven days of understanding what the Kokoda Track was all about – today’s march to the top of the Imita Gap was important. It was important in the story of the 39th Battalion and it was important in the story of our group of men, who had endured so much physical and mental challenge in our quest to better understand the sacrifice that had been made.

We marched to the top with Clarko in the lead. Two hours straight up – and at the top of Imita Gap – the Australian flag was being flown – it was a great sight.

We walked into camp at Uberi Village some two hours later of down-down-down (if you’re not going up on the Kokoda track – you are going down…). That night the most incredible tropical storm rolled in. The lightning cracked and the rain came down in buckets. We all huddled under the porters canvas – talking, playing cards, saying goodbye to Kokoda.

Tomorrow would be our last climb.


Tune in tomorrow for the final day of Stephen Gilham’s Kokoda diary and check out HawksTV’s daily Kokoda video diary – now online!

[vanders]

Gilham's Kokoda Diary: Day 8

10:38 AM Fri 21 December, 2007 | Back

Stephen Gilham

for hawthornfc.com.au
News


Stephen Gilham makes one final climb to the gates at Ower’s Corner, reflects on the ‘Kokoda’ experience, and has a bit of fun with today’s ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angles’.


We woke up at Uberi Village keen to get going. Camp was packed up in record time – brekky eaten, shoelaces tied – time to get to the top.

We set off – not a sandbag in sight!! The pack was as light as it’s been all week.

We walked for an hour to Goldie River – where the porters made a human chain as the river was flowing quick. Little did we know they were there to sabotage us – and as we crossed the most almighty water-fight broke out. It was one of the best mornings of the trip. We formed a wrestling ring in the river and had a heap of fun sizing up some of the porters. They are so strong for little fellas. It was awesome. We’d all become pretty good mates over the journey.

We then made a single line and walked behind a flag bearer to the top of Ower’s Corner. Climbing – with the Aussie flag just in sight and leading the way was a pretty special feeling. It was 40 minutes straight up. When we got to the top we all peeled off and made a guard of honour. It was a fitting way to end the Kokoda Track…


Looking back on the journey – I can think of countless moments of endurance, mateship, courage and sacrifice. So many of the playing group found out important lessons about themselves and about each other. Tucky lived the journey and was awarded the ‘Kingsbury’ medal for his leadership and bravery throughout the week, and Junior won the Metson medal for his dedication, having only been just drafted to the Club and having had his own battles along the way – and never letting it get on top of him.

It’s an unique experience to share with 15 of your teammates. It tells you a lot about each other. It’s a trip we’ll never forget. Hopefully I can learn from the ‘Track’ and take the lesson home with me and implement them in my own life.


Click on the Kokoda Tracking link on the home page to read all of Stephen Gilham’s Kokoda diaries and to watch the daily video diaries from the Hawks second trip to the Kokoda Track.

[Big Ronnie]

Pick 38 has fallen to our most nervous watcher Vanders who could barely contain her excitement when Gilly eventually fell to her. Don't believe me? Have a look at how much she is already on to the job.

BR:thumbsu:

[vanders]

Word! ;)

[vanders]

Gilham at pre-season training:

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5849488,00.jpg

[rumblah]

He looks a good size.

[aquila]

At the very very very end of this clip with Mitch. Gilham does a bit of advertising for the Hawk roadshow. Seemed a bit nervous, but I guess a nice easy way to get him media experience.

http://bigpondvideo.com/afl/43452

[noosa hawk mad]

http://bigpondvideo.com/afl/43830 Talks to Hawk Talk!

[Hawk0373]

This guy has taken his game to a new level -just watching him charge back into packs and take marks against Adelaide shows how confident he has become with his game. He's a beauty.:thumbsu:

Do we know his current height & weight? certainly looks bigger.

[vanders]

According to thye official website he is 80kg and 191cm, which would make him smaller than when this thread was started! So... I'll wait for confirmation elsewhere!

[vanders]

Bio: Settled into a key defensive role, featuring in every match and winning the club's most-improved player award. Averaged more than six marks a match and was a solid rebounder. Looks at home in the Hawks' defensive scheme, using his mobility to advantage. Still green and likely to improve in his second full season.

[detox]

Stumbled upon this. I love reading wisbeys reports.



Stephen Gilham

190/ 76 mid-age right-footer (but dual-sided).

Talented skinny 6’3” dual-sided smart athletic half-back would-be Paul Roos.

Genuine AFL potential even though I've a few concerns. Has an attractive enough combination of height, athleticism, smarts, courage, confidence, overhead and kicking capability, leadership, and clean hands to make him worth a 1st round pick. In a draft of NQRs I would have thought about pick #10 to #15, although many would rate him earlier.

My major concern is that he needs heaps more weight, although is deceptively strong. Most likely role at AFL level could be tall running HBF. Likes to play off his man and track off the play (a la Paul Roos) and is a back-your-own-judgement dasher with good but not great speed and OK but not great acceleration off the mark. Is courage personified (eg regularly backs into packs) and takes a nice grab but is not consistent overhead. Is fairly consistent – is still a contributor even when he has a quiet one.

When I think of Gilly, "courage" is the 1st word that comes to mind. It’s also the 2nd.. And the 3rd. After that, it’s "athleticism", then "leadership", then "self-confidence", then "evasion".

Decision-making: Good
Judgement: Good
Smarts: Very good
Accountability: Fair

Is a dasher who loves to run off his man. Is generally a good decision-maker. Is a fairly quick thinker in traffic. Spots options fairly well although is a bit inclined at full pace to just kick generally downfield, often to a contest.

Has a natural tendency to play on, and loves to back himself, but generally exercises good judgement re when and how to do so. Occasionally he does bite off more than he can chew and gets into trouble, sometimes resulting in a rushed hospital handball.

Even though he played a bit at FB last season, he has a lack of respect for the opposition goalsquare and sweet spot which makes him a risk on the last line of defence – he has no hesitation moving the ball from back-pocket to the goal-square (by hand, foot, or carry), even when sound judgement would dictate otherwise. This is not a weekly occurrence but happens (and has cost goals) often enough to be a concern and something he needs to (and can) remedy.

Prefers to zone off instead of playing one-on-one. Backs his judgement. And his judgement is generally good. He seems to be able to take quite a few risks - you often see him going for the ball when his man is nowhere to be seen – yet his judgement is good enough that he seldom gets burnt.

He does sometimes play one-on-one but on a big, strong, smart forward it generally finds him out for body strength at this stage, both on the ground and aerially. Is sometimes not tight enough and sometimes loses track of his man.

He tends to be reasonably selective depending on the opponent eg Johns (WA) is a big strong athletic jumping jack – but raw. Gilham was very clever, playing two styles in one. He sometimes didn't give Johns an inch even when ball was miles away, but occasionally played 2m or more off Johns. Johns definitely seemed distracted trying to ascertain where Gilham was or wasn’t.

Gilham likes to take them on. His excellent evasion skills and quite good speed over the ground make him very successful at this – you don’t usually have your heart in your mouth when he takes off. Is happy to zone off his man to attack the ball.

Reads the play well. Reads the ball well. It is not uncommon for him to let his opponent charge to contest while Gilham waits back – and very often the ball does find its way out to him
Likes to play on quickly whenever possible and open up the play and usually does it without getting caught.

Picks up a lot of his kicks virtually loose across half back. When a team-mate has the ball, Gilham likes to peel off & create an option. He makes good position. Is good at punch-spoils at marking contests.

He does think laterally. Eg 1. At the back of the pack at a marking contest, swiping or tapping the ball over the back like a ruckman towards his own goals. Eg 2. If he sees no ruck at a throw-in or even a ball-up he will come in and go for a punch himself. Generally displays poise under pressure. (Sometimes the pressure is self-created).

Traffic management mainly consists of rushing through it, rather than much science being involved. Blocks for a team-mate (and will run hard to do so) – including "dummy marking" blocks.
Very good at mopping up off (typically at the back of) the contest.

Speed, agility:
Definitely good, but not great, speed and is not as quick off the mark as you might expect for someone as otherwise athletic as he is. I think many people overrate his quickness but he doesn’t often get caught. Has the speed to run the lines but not to chase down a runaway genuine quick (although he will try). A good fitness adviser may be able to give him the extra yard and improve his recovery agility and acceleration off the mark Is very nimble and quick-reflexed when he has the ball but when he over-runs the ball or is wrong-footed his recovery is not as nimble as you might expect.

Athleticism:
Huge natural leap, even from a standing start.
Good at coming over the top at throw-ins – big leap, big punch.

Evasion skills:
Excellent. And in various perfectly-times ways - deft sidestep to avoid a bump & find space, stopping in his tracks just as an opponent comes at him, selling the dummy, swivel turn, etc. He has excellent instincts, evasion techniques, reflexes, poise. Knows how to find space to give himself time.

Intensity:
Very good. Attacking the ball at full speed, chasing, tackling, punch-spoiling at marking contests or throw-ins, smothers, running hard to present an option or block for a team-mate, running hard generally. Typically charges hard to get to the ball, even through traffic, then runs hard across or down field.

Hands:
Clean hands below the shoulder. Fairly clean hands overhead. Very clean off the ground.

Strength, body use, balance:
Keeps his feet well.
Is possibly still growing into his body. Definitely way underweight but is deceptively strong and uses his paper-weight body very cleverly body-on-body. Eg in the U18 Championships he out-bodied the much heavier Wade Champion (SA) in a one-on-one marking contest and a clever nudge sent the much-heavier Courtney Johns (WA) flying past the ball on another occasion. Nevertheless he just doesn’t have the weight at this stage to consistently win body-on-body duels against strong tall opponents who know how to use their strength – even against U18s. Champion and McIntosh both convincingly won the marking duels against him, and Paul Johnson (Dandenong) was arguably too physically strong for him both on the ground and on the lead in a recent local game (although Gilham did injure his foot).

Courage:
He will miss whole seasons through suspension if they ever legislate against “reckless behaviour endangering oneself”.
He regularly goes for overhead marks backing back either deliberately into a pack or not knowing what is coming. He is also inclined to throw himself at a marking contest or opponent from any angle or direction.
Always keeps eyes on ball and doesn’t flinch – even when waiting under a hospital pass or attacking the ball when trouble is running head-on at him.

Disposal:
Disposals are predominantly by foot and he is a good kick..
A right footer but his short passing and depth with his non-preferred left foot is quite good even under pressure and on the run..
Is usually a reliable pass, although is prone to occasional “nothing” dinky too-cute kicks and these are the ones which usually fail him. Tends to just kick to a contest too often. When he does spot a target, though, he is usually accurate and weights the ball well.
Gets good depth and reasonable power and can do a thumping torp on the run.
Quick & fairly reliable hands in feeding off.

Overhead marking:
Can regularly take a pack mark at U18 level – not just an occasional speccy but a genuine one-grab pack mark. Can take a screamer. Can take a mark coming from “nowhere” – front, back, side, even running into the face of the pack. His great leap, especially without the need for a "running fly", coupled with good ability to read the flight and reasonably clean hands overhead, allow him to be classed as a "reasonably good mark". With more body strength he is likely to become a very good mark. However, he is no Paul Roos overhead. At this stage the big opponent in a marking contest who knows how to position himself and has good balance and timing troubles Gilham. In particular, at AFL level, lack of weight will impair Gilham’s overhead capability, at least in his early years

Leadership:
Is a genuine leader. He encourages his players individually and addresses them collectively in a huddle (and when he does he is animated and all players concentrate on him).
Directs traffic a lot.


Query:
- Needs heaps of weight. His TAC coach is confident he will fill out and be a "fair lump" but I’m not sure he has the frame. It is my major concern in two aspects – He needs much more bulk if he is to contest with AFL key forwards (or even many flankers for that matter), but athleticism is one of his greatest assets and he needs to bulk up without significantly impacting his leap, agility or speed.

- Unless and until he adds a lot more weight, he is not strong enough to play key position so will typically take a "HBF" role. His pace is quite good but is he quick enough, especially off the mark, to handle enough of his potential opponents?

- Although "190cm dasher" sounds like it equates to versatility, his options other than pinch-hitting actually seem fairly limited until and unless he adds enough weight ( about15kg minimum) to be competitive in a key position. Is primarily a straight-ahead player ideally suited to HBF. However, he could play "wing" on the right opponent and be hard to match up on. Can pinch-hit up forward and nail an occasional goal but does not seem a genuine forward. Can pinch hit as a "ruck-rover". Backs himself a bit too much at this stage to be confident about him consistently playing deep in defence. He really does seem born to run off the half-back line.

Some stats:
Average 13 kicks, 5 handballs, 5.3 marks in 14 TAC games. Handballs up, kicks & marks down in 2nd half of his season

Other stuff:
2nd 2001 Oakleigh B&F as 16yo, despite stress fractures of foot mid 2001.
Missed most of the last few games 2002 with foot(?) injury.
2002 All Australian, Vic Metro U18 Captain.
Is a natural sportsman. Represented Vic in junior cricket.

[noosa hawk mad]

Keep the lid on: Gilham
http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/tabid/4742/Default.aspx?newsid=59057
Author: Jennifer Witham 7:12 PM Sun 04 May, 2008
http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/HawcelebratRd7246.jpgJarryd Roughead and Mark Williams celebrate as the Hawks go 7-0 at the MCG on Saturday

THE HAWKS will enter the Hall of Fame tribute match weekend with a determination to keep their blistering form in perspective, says defender Stephen Gilham.
Gilham said there was strong resolve to keep a lid on things at Waverley, with inspiration for success coming in the form of players such as veteran Shane Crawford.
Crawford, 33, is playing in his 16th season and has won almost every footballing accolade possible, but still lusts after an elusive premiership medallion.
With the Hawks undefeated after seven rounds and flag favourites Geelong not yet playing all-conquering football, this year could provide that chance.
"Yesterday we spoke about going into the break in unchartered waters for our club, for the last couple of years at least," Gilham said on The Sunday Footy Show.
"'Crawf' said not to get ahead of ourselves, as we have a great opportunity [to keep it going]."
Gilham said there were plenty of reasons why that could happen, with the defenders currently possessing confidence in both their forwards and midfielders.
"The [forwards] are all doing their job at the moment and we're not just leading up to one of them," he said.
"There was a great spread of goals yesterday."
"It helps us [defenders] a lot when the midfielders have a defensive mindset, and there's been plenty of pressure on the ball when it's coming forward.
"It's been great this year."
The Hawks suffered two injuries on Saturday against Collingwood, with Luke Hodge wrenching a hamstring and Simon Taylor receiving concussion. They also lost Chance Bateman before the bounce with what Gilham said was a "cracked bone in his hand".
But nothing could prepare the club for its latest injury hit, with defender Trent Croad discovering that recovery sessions have recently developed physical aspects.
The full-back, who manfully held Travis Cloke goalless the day before, suffered a cut face when he was shoved into a door by a supposedly friendly teammate.
"I saw Croady when he was all patched up and he seemed to think it was Roughy (Jarryd Roughead)," Gilham reported following the Sunday morning session.
"He told me Roughy pushed him into a door, boys being boys, at recovery.
"Then he was on speed-dial straight away to one of his plastic surgeons."
While he was quick to poke fun at Croad's interest in personal grooming, Gilham did praise his fellow defender for the performance he put in against Cloke during Saturday's 65-point win.
"Croady did a great job on Travis, and that really helped us. Having him on a big fella and not having to worry about [Anthony] Rocca [was great]."

Source: for hawthornfc.com.au

[vanders]

I was just about to post that! :p

[RustyHawk]

Life wont be easy as No1

By: Paul Gough, sportal. 26.05.08

Hawthorn defender Stephen Gilham says the Hawks will have to get used to opposition sides lifting themselves against them now the team has taken over top place on the AFL ladder.

Gilham said Sunday's surprisingly difficult 19-point win over bottom-placed Melbourne at the MCG was a taste of what the Hawks could expect for the rest of the season, following their record-breaking 2008 season.

The Hawks have won the first nine games of the season for the first time in their history and are the league's only unbeaten team now, following a dramatic Round 9 in which Geelong and the Bulldogs suffered their first losses of the season.

Gilham, speaking on Monday as the Hawks began to prepare for Saturday's huge clash against the third-placed Bulldogs in Tasmania, said life on top of the ladder was something the Hawks were still getting used to adding Sunday's narrow win against Melbourne was definitely a wake-up call to the players.

"We are always trying to improve our game and that game (against Melbourne) showed we have still got a lot of improvement left in us," Gilham said.

"It (being on top of the ladder) is unchartered water for us as a side but again it's a learning process we need to go through and we keep learning this week."

"I think sides will come after us now and that is a good thing and we have to deal with that sort of pressure."

"We still feel we are maturing and learning as a young side and we are looking to improve each week."

Gilham said the Hawks are already bracing for a fired-up Bulldogs side, following their heartbreaking defeat against the Kangaroos on Sunday after skipper Brad Johnson missed a set shot for goal after the final siren.

"You never like playing against sides that have narrowly lost (the week before)," Gilham said.

"They will be analysing the game and looking for improvement where they went wrong so we know they will be keen to atone this week."