HAWTHORN defender Ben Stratton believes he’s getting back to his best form after putting a tough start to the season behind him.

At his best last year, the 25 year old was as consistent a defender as there is in the competition and a vital member of Hawthorn’s eventual premiership 22.

A dour competitor who gives his all for the team, Stratton’s strength is in his selflessness and like most of his teammates, his willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team.

The premiership Hawk’s start to the season was delayed because of a hamstring injury, which put an end to a run of 53 consecutive games since the end of 2011.

The injury, sustained in the final practice match in the lead-up to the 2014 season wasn’t the only setback he would have though, managing just four games before being again struck down by injury.

This time it was an adductor complaint that saw him miss a month, taking his games played tally for the season to just four from 14 matches before returning in the Round 15 win over Gold Coast.

Thankfully, he has now played eight consecutive matches and has found his groove.

“It’s nice, I’ve put the first half of the season behind me because it was a little bit interrupted with a few annoying injuries,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“The last three of four weeks have been pleasing, I’ve been able to find a bit of form.”

In the last month he’s played on some of the game’s best forwards, including Sydney’s Sam Reid and Bulldogs goal kicker Stewart Crameri.

He held Reid goalless in the win over the Swans and, indicative of his fourth-place finish in last year’s Peter Crimmins Medal, Stratton had seven one-percenters, five tackles and five marks – operating at 91 per cent disposal efficiency.

Then, he kept Crameri to just nine disposals and a goal in the win over the Bulldogs in Round 19.

Back to his best now, he was also influential in the come-from-behind victory over Geelong on Saturday night with 19 disposals, nine marks and five one percenters, the second-most of any Hawk.

He says it has been challenging to regain his best form but now feels like he’s ready for a big finish.

“It’s been nice to play some games in a row to get my consistency up,” he said.

“When you miss a few games it’s hard to come straight back in and play to what you’re used to or how I did last year.

“My fitness was always up there, it was just more about getting that confidence back.”