Life won’t get any easier for the AFL’s leakiest defence when Geelong comes to town on Saturday.
Greater Western Sydney host the Cats at Skoda Stadium, with key forward James Podsiadly returning to link up with Tom Hawkins in what Stephen Gilham rates the best forward line in the competition.
With GWS conceeding a league-worst average of 21.1 goals this season, it has all the makings of a massacre.
Gilham, who will be marshalling the Giants’ defenders with co-captain Phil Davis still sidelined due to a back injury, views it in a different light.
“We get a chance to test ourselves against what is probably the best forward line in the competition,” the 28-year-old said.
“It’s going to be a challenge for our young defenders, but they’re all looking forward to playing on the best and testing themselves. Seeing how far they’ve improved and how much there is to go.”
Gilham, who played 98 of his 107 games with Hawthorn, knows all too well the strengths of Geelong.
Ever since the 2008 grand final, in which he played a key role in the Hawks’ win over the Cats, Hawthorn have lost every contest against Geelong.
“They’re such a well-drilled, well-coached and well-organised side,” Gilham said.
“It is amazing they’ve been able to hold onto that consistency for so long.
“Certainly a lot has changed since then (2008) … Tom (Hawkins) has turned into a powerhouse forward.
“I’ve had a couple of good duels with Hawkins and Podsiadly in the past, and obviously now (Nathan) Vardy is up and going.
“Then even when you’ve done your hard work and managed to get the ball to ground, they’re still really threatening with their small guys.”
Despite all the plaudits, Gilham suggested the cellar dwellers would not be overawed or intimidated on the weekend.
“Nobody is invincible and everyone feels pressure.
“We’ve got to try to pressure them into making those mistakes.”
Gilham admitted his teammates were going through a “tough period” in the context of their winless start to the season.
“But we see progress each week … it’s going to take a lot of time obviously, but we’re getting there,” he added.
