During the Hawks' bye round, as part of a three part series, hawthornfc.com.au reviews the season thus far of all Hawks players to have played a senior match in 2014. The first part of the series includes defenders.

Ryan Schoenmakers

Hawthorn’s shiny new swingman made an emphatic return from his knee injury in the club’s round seven victory over St Kilda, kicking four goals before shifting back to defence in the third quarter. Schoenmakers looms as a slingshot for the Hawks as he continues to build match fitness throughout the year.

Josh Gibson

Claiming the club champion award in a premiership year is an undeniable achievement and a representation of Gibson’s worth to the Hawks lineup. In the absence of power defenders Brian Lake and Ryan Schoenmakers for parts of this season, Gibson stood up to play key defensive roles while continuing his unrivalled ability to lend a helping fist to teammates. Surgery on his left pectoral muscle will keep him out for 10 weeks, but he is due to return pain-free and unrestricted come the crunch time of the season.

Taylor Duryea

The tenacious small defender has relished his added responsibilities and has been one of the Hawks’ most improved players this season. Filling the back pocket role vacated by Brent Guerra, Duryea has played all eight of the Hawks’ games this season and looks right at home despite just 26 senior games to his name. He was among the Hawks’ best in the round eight loss to Sydney, recording 20 disposals at 95% efficiency and chiming in with an impressive goal from 40 metres out – reminiscent of the left-foot brilliance of his predecessor.

Grant Birchall

Birchall’s output this season measures up nicely to his classy performance in last year’s Grand Final. Recording a team-high 26 disposals (16 kicks and 10 handballs) in Hawthorn’s 11^th Grand Final victory, Birchall similarly leads the Hawks in disposals this year with an average of 26.6 per game (14 kicks and 12.2 handballs). His precise kicking has remained on point this season, with his disposal efficiency of 76.9 per cent in the Grand Final narrowly pipped by his incredible average of 80.3 per cent this year.

Matthew Suckling

The Hawks superboot made a successful return to senior football in round one, after a cruel knee injury in last year’s preseason competition sidelined him for 12 months. Suckling has slotted seamlessly back into the Hawks lineup, assuming his role off half-back to play all eight of the Hawks’ games this season. Suckling has tallied the most kicks at the club this year (he averages 15.4 per game) but even more impressive is his inside-50 count of 3.9 per game that places him second to Bradley Hill. The damaging left-footer looms as an offensive weapon in the back half of the year as he continues to build on his solid start to 2014.

Ben Stratton

The versatile defender has started to come into form after battling calf and hamstring injuries during the preseason. After a superb 2013 and heroic Finals Series that saw him finish fourth in the Peter Crimmins medal tally, expect Stratton to hit his straps as he continues to gain match fitness.

Brian Lake

After an injury-disrupted preseason, the Norm Smith medalist managed two games before succumbing to a calf injury in round seven against St Kilda. Lake is due to return to football at approximately round 12, but is likely to be monitored so he is fully fit when he returns to the Hawks senior side.

Matt Spangher

The popular utility played arguably his best game for the club in the Hawks’ round three win over Fremantle, holding the fort in defence and kick-starting a chain that led to a marvelous coast-to-coast goal. He injured his ankle the following week against the Suns and will be a welcome return to the side in the coming weeks – particularly with injuries to Josh Gibson and Brian Lake.

Kyle Cheney

Cheney has fought admirably in his six senior games this season. Injuries to Brian Lake and Ryan Schoenmakers have resulted in the brave defender being thrown into the deep end, conceding significant size and height to the opposition’s gorilla forwards. Cheney has played an important role for the Hawks this year and will continue to improve as he gains experience and confidence at senior level.

Angus Litherland

The medium-sized defender has demonstrated his defensive capabilities in his three senior appearances this year. At 21 years of age, Litherland has helped fill the injury holes left in the Hawks defence and is likely to receive more senior opportunities as he continues his development.

Stay tuned as hawthornfc.com.au reviews the season thus far of midfielders and forwards.