The Hawthorn defence is coping with the “gorillas”, meaning there is no need to rush Brian Lake’s debut with the AFL club.

Lake resumed in the VFL last weekend after suffering leg injuries during the pre-season and is keen to join the senior side as soon as possible.

The former Western Bulldogs backman was the Hawks’ top recruit late last year as they try to add height and strength to their defence.

Collingwood’s Travis Cloke and Quinten Lynch will keep them busy in Sunday’s MCG blockbuster.

But Josh Gibson and his fellow defenders did well in round one against tall Geelong forwards James Podsiadly and Tom Hawkins, despite the Cats winning by seven points.

They also quelled West Coast’s key forwards on Sunday in their thumping 50-point win.

“It’s another week in the office, I guess, having to play on gorillas,” Gibson said.

“But we love playing on the best guys and the back six have been playing really well as a unit.

“It would be a nice little delicacy if we could slot him in there, but so far the guys have been doing a fantastic job.

“If he gets up to play, that would be great, but we can’t rely on whether he’s going to play.”

While Lake is confident he is ready to join the senior team, Gibson noted it is too early in the week to know.

“He’s always chomping at the bit – everyone wants to be playing senior footy, especially if they’re at a new club,” Gibson said.

“I know he was pretty excited this morning that he got through and didn’t have any sore spots.

“It’s only (Tuesday) now, I can’t tell you how they’re going to pick the side yet.”

Beating the Eagles in Perth was a massive boost for the Hawks, who have a brutal early-season draw.

All their first seven opponents made the finals last season.

“It’s a great challenge for us, getting to play the best teams early, and really putting ourselves up against it,” Gibson said.

Captain Luke Hodge returned from injury in Perth, giving the Hawks a major boost.

“He’s a warrior, just the way he attacks the footy – it gets the side up,” Gibson said.

The win was also a nice rebuff to former president Jeff Kennett, who said immediately after the Geelong loss that coach Alastair Clarkson should go at the end of the season.

Kennett later apologised for the eyebrow-raising comment.

“I’m sure Jeff would have watched it at home and been very happy we had a win,” Gibson said with a broad grin.