It's half way through the 2017 season, and the Hawks have posted four wins and seven losses across the first 11 rounds.

It's mid-season review time: Follow along as Backline Coach Cameron Bruce dissects each defender's performance so far.

 

Ryan Burton
10 games, 21 disposals (average)

“Burton has brought some great offensive run and enthusiasm into our group. He’s adjusting to playing defence, and he offers great flexibility in terms of being able to play tall and small. We’re really happy with the way ‘Burto’ is progressing.” CB

Read: Young Hawk continues to improve

Josh Gibson
11 games, 16 disposals 

“Gibbo has had some challenges throughout the start of this season but he is starting to find some better form. What we’re seeing from Gibbo recently is a real determination to halve contests, like the old-school Gibbo, and negate dangerous, threatening forwards, like Buddy Franklin, who I think he did a really good job on in Round 10.” CB

Taylor Duryea
4 games, 15 disposals 

“Duryea has been interrupted with his start to the season, but has found himself in the senior side recently. He offers a really good option as a small defender, who gives us a tough and hard contest whilst also giving us some good rebound.” CB

 

Shaun Burgoyne
11 games, 20 disposals

“He just keeps playing well. We’ve had him in the back end at stages throughout this year and he’s continuing to play his role, defending and halving critical contests, and then giving us good offensive run where he can.” CB

 

James Frawley
8 games, 14 disposals 

“Unfortunately injured at the moment. He had some good patches at the start of the season, after coming in on the back of a really good pre-season. He’s done some good jobs, whilst also providing some offensive threat. The sooner he is back the better.” CB

 

Grant Birchall
3 games, 15 disposals

“Unfortunately, we haven’t seen too much of Birchall, after getting injured in each of his return games so far. So sadly, we haven’t been able to use ‘Birch’ as much as we would have liked but he will be back soon and provide some great rebound for us.” CB

 

Luke Hodge
10 game, 25 disposals

"Hodgey has had an outstanding start to the season. He’s been a real general down there, and he brings composure to our mix. He negates and halves contests when he looks totally out of position. So he’s going really well and giving us plenty.” CB

Watch: Hodge discusses Round 11 loss 

Daniel Howe
7 games, 15 disposals

“He’s spent the majority of his time in the midfield, but he has come back in recent weeks. He has a really good intent and attitude to get better. His ability to play on talls and smalls is a positive for us in the back end.” CB

 

Ben Stratton
8 games, 13 disposals

“We got a good amount of game-time out of Stratts before he hurt his knee against Brisbane. Unfortunately he will be out for a few more weeks. But his ability to compete in the air and at ground level and his defend-first mentality is a real highlight and we’re looking forward to him coming back into the side.” CB

 

Kaiden Brand
6 games, 17 disposals 

“He has come in strongly, and it’s been really important to have him in, especially when Frawley has been out, to be able to have someone who can play on the big beasts of the opposition. His ability to also get onto the loose balls for a player of his size is really important, and shows great mobility. Spoiling and halving contests has also been a good indicator for him. He's definitely got plenty of development to go, but he's working hard.” CB

 

Kurt Heatherley
1 game, 11 disposals

“It was really positive to see him get a game against Collingwood. He came in and I thought he played his role. He’s really earned his opportunity and hopefully he gets a greater opportunity going forward. When he came in it was just that competitiveness and that attitude to get better that was something his teammates really enjoyed and respected.” CB

 

Blake Hardwick
8 games, 14 disposals

“He gives us a great small defender option as well, who can play on the dangerous small forwards. He’s really tough and hard, and gives us good rebound. He’s a no-fuss player, he just gets the job done. He’s keen to get better and has a great attitude to improve.” CB

 

Teia Miles
2 games, 11 disposals 

“He played early on in the season. He will continue to improve throughout the year. He’s just coming back from a knee injury. His ability to take the game on and provide great rebound from defence is important and no doubt he is a player to watch going forward." CB