'HAWTHORN'S defence is vulnerable against the big power forwards.'
Put that popular theory to defender Josh Gibson, and he points straight to the stats.
"Last year we were meant to be super vulnerable against the tall forward and we were number one at stopping marks inside forward 50," Gibson told hawthornfc.com.au this week.
He was right.
In 2011, Gibson and the Hawks conceded an average of only nine opposition marks inside 50 per game, ranked equal first in the AFL.
So far this season that figure is 10.4: an increase, but still not numbers that suggest they're getting 'monstered'.
Gibson's second line of defence was to point to the backline's greatest strength.
"We've got some great runners down there," the 28-year-old said.
"When we bring the ball to ground you've got guys like Matt Suckling, Grant Birchall and Brent Guerra who are absolute surgeons by foot.
"So if me and the other talls can halve some contests and get the ball on the ground, then good luck catching those blokes."
If there has been a weakness in Hawthorn's defence in recent years, Gibson thinks it's been instability.
Injuries to key players - Gibson himself, Stephen Gilham, Ben Stratton - have meant the full line-up has been deprived of a chance to gel.
By contrast, back-up big man Jarrad Boumann the only defender on the club's current injury list.
"Since I came to the club there's been so many injuries," Gibson said.
"This year we've had a good chance to play games together, and we're starting to work out one another's strengths and weaknesses.
"I think we've been bonding really well."
The fitness of the back six has also created selection pressure.
Gilham returned from a knee reconstruction in round seven, but made way after the round nine loss to Richmond when the coaching panel decided to change its mix of talls and smalls.
Tom Murphy, a seniors regular for the previous four seasons, only cracked his first game of 2012 in round 12, despite consistent VFL form all year.
Kyle Cheney is another who often features in Box Hill's best but is battling to break into Alastair Clarkson's line-up.
"In the past we haven't had many defenders to choose from, so if we've got guys missing out now, then it keeps the fight for positions really healthy," Gibson said.
"The pressure from below keeps everyone on their toes."
An All Australian nominee last year, Gibson has strengthened his case to be considered as one of the competition's elite backs this year.
With Ryan Schoenmakers handling the opposition's number one forward, Gibson increasingly finds himself playing the important 'third man up' role, something he does to great effect.
In that regard, the former Kangaroo has used Geelong great Matthew Scarlett, who he describes as his "favourite defender", as a role model.
"Once upon a time he (Scarlett) was always just playing on the big 'gorillas', but now it changes according to who they're playing," Gibson said.
"[My role] changes week to week - it depends how many talls the opposition is playing.
"I think that's the way the game is going now - you have to be able to play a variety of roles."
As for his oft-maligned young teammate Schoenmakers, Gibson couldn't be happier with his development.
He likens the South Australian to another Cat.
"He (Schoenmakers) has copped a lot of criticism," Gibson said.
"But people used to get into Tom Hawkins about the way he was developing, and you look at him now and he's one of the best forwards in the comp.
"That's because he's matured.
"'Schoey' is only 21. When you've got a 21-year-old playing on blokes like Jonathan Brown and those type of opponents, there's going to be times when you get touched up.
"It happens to all defenders.
"But I think he's grown a lot and he's playing really good footy this year."
Mark Macgugan covers Hawks news for AFL.com.au and hawthornfc.com.au. Twitter: @AFL_MarkM.
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