HAWTHORN’S defence can get even better in the second half of the season, according to dual premiership player Josh Gibson.

The 31-year old has been one of the Hawks’ most dependable players in 2015, not just shutting down opponents, but finding plenty of the ball and providing his trademark rebound out of defence.

Conceding an average of just 70.5 points per game, the club is ranked third in the competition defensively, behind top-two sides Fremantle and Sydney.

But Gibson believes the defence has room to improve, especially as he and Brian Lake continue to grow their on-field rapport with first-year Hawk and fellow tall James Frawley.

“It’s been a bit up and down in terms of getting a tight back six playing together, but over the last couple of weeks now we’ve had Lakey back, Chip back…  (we’ve) just been able to build that chemistry among the whole group,” he said.

“I thought I’d be playing a little bit smaller after Round 1 and got excited by that, and then… Lakey and Chip both got injured and so I was playing tall again.

“The three of us are back in the side now and it’s exciting to build that relationship – we’ve only played a few games together, and if it lets me play on the smaller guys, I’m happy.”

Injuries have restricted Frawley and Lake to six and seven games respectively, meaning the trio has played just four of a possible 10 matches together.

But Gibson said that had opened up opportunities for other players – highlighting Round 9 debutant Dan Howe as an exciting prospect.

“He was one that I really enjoyed watching during the pre-season,” Gibson said.

“He’s got a fantastic work ethic and I was really glad that he got rewarded to play his first game. He’s one of the younger guys that’s stood out.”

Gibson is averaging almost 23 possessions per match in 2015 – more than in his two premiership seasons with Hawthorn – and is using the ball at an elite disposal efficiency rate of 86.3 percent.

The smooth left-footer is also ranked fourth in the competition for both marks and one-percenters, proving his importance both with and without the ball.

With a win-loss record of 6-4 at the bye, Gibson says the Hawks would love to have a few more wins, but are far from disappointed with their season to date.

“The games we’ve lost, we haven’t been too far off, and we’ve had some good wins as well.” he said.

“It hasn’t been disappointing, but there’s still a lot of improvement in the group.”

The 2013 Peter Crimmins Medallist says it’s a simple equation for the team after the break.

“It’s just win, win, win,” Gibson said.

“It’s just about making sure that we get our structures right and playing the Hawks way, and if we can get those things right, normally we end up with more wins than losses.”