WITH Hawthorn on the verge of their second consecutive finals series, attention has again turned to the role played in the Hawk resurgence by the jewels they picked up in recent seasons with high draft picks – players like Lance Franklin, Luke Hodge,  Jarryd Roughead and  Jordan Lewis.

But Stephen Gilham, an old-school-Hawthorn style defender, is proving to be a diamond in the rough.

Gilham was originally drafted by Port Adelaide in November 2002 and spent three years on their list for a return of just one game in which he recorded just one stat – a solitary kick.

Cut loose by Port at the end of 2005, he was thrown a rookie list lifeline the following season by the Hawks and made his senior debut in Round 19.

Gilham has not missed a single game since, playing 49 in succession, winning the club’s most improved player award in 2007 and becoming an integral part of the Hawthorn defence.

Gilham was not fussed that his 50th AFL game was played in the shadow of the media hype surrounding Franklin’s bid for 100 goals against the West Coast at Subiaco Oval.

“Look, just to get there after six years of hard work was just really satisfying,” he said.

“It’s just a huge bonus to be able to play finals football too. I loved it last year and I’m looking forward to having another crack at it this year.

“That’s why we thought it was really important for us to bounce back really strongly today after losing to Richmond last week and get some momentum heading into the finals.”

Gilham was his usual efficient self in defence but admitted there hadn’t been much work to do as the Hawks cruised to a 71 point win over the Eagles.

“The boys worked really hard in the middle and got things moving our way and fortunately most of the game was played in our forward half.”

Franklin finished the game on 98 goals but Gilham laughed off suggestions that the milestone was becoming a distraction for the players.

“I think it’s more a distraction for the security guards and all the extra procedures and things that they have to worry about,” he said.

“Meanwhile we just go about our business and if it happens, it happens.”

Gilham said the excitement of contesting another finals series was building around the club along with a realisation that it was time to deliver on the playing list’s huge potential.

“The intensity has definitely lifted, everyone is vying for a spot, the young guys are keeping our enthusiasm up and we’ve had some really great training sessions lately,” he said.

“We don’t want to put a ceiling on this year, that’s for sure. We’ve got a great opportunity.

“We’ve set ourselves up through a lot of hard work over the last two or three years and now we’ve got ourselves in a position where we can definitely contend strongly deep into September.”