STEPEHN Gilham might have landed the most improved player at this year's Hawthorn best and fairest count but as far as he's concerned he's got a lot more work to do.
In fact, the 23-year-old is gearing himself up for what he believes will be a hectic pre-season.
"I've already identified areas from this year that I want to improve on," Gilham said.
"I've gone through my tapes with the coaches and by myself. I want to take more marks next year so I'll definitely be working on my marking and also my kicking.
"I want to have another really good pre-season and get the running base back in and put on a couple of kilos and get stronger as well. I know it sounds like a lot but hopefully I can do it."
The ambitious youngster believes a solid pre-season last year is what set him up for a stellar league campaign, during which he played every game after playing just four last year.
"I completed every session so I got my fitness up and then I was able to play every game and was conditioned to, which really went a long way to getting my award (most improved player) and my improvement this year."
Drafted as a rookie to the Hawks in the 2006 draft, after spending three seasons with Port Adelaide, Gilham says memories of his side's win over the Crows in the elimination final will keep him motivated through the tough pre-season schedule.
"The way we finished was a bit disappointing but to taste that bit of success in September, the win against
"It (the pre-season) is really tough both mentally and physically so it's good to have the break beforehand but I'm looking forward to getting back into it."
Gilham has had to forsake his once favourite off-season past-time of cricket in favour of a tougher training regime.
"It's OK to have a hit and a bowl every now and then. It can be a form of recovery. A lot of the boys play indoor cricket at the club but that's about the extent of it for me.
"I enjoy watching it still but I don't get to play because after the football season you need a good break, so I'm looking forward to going down to the beach a bit more than playing cricket."
Gilham acknowledges that the departure of club stalwarts Richie Vandenberg, Joel Smith and Ben Dixon will leave a gulf in experience at the club but he believes that it's a challenge the young list will be able to overcome.
"Because our group is so young, those guys (retirees) were so important and they played a big role in some of the guys' development so far.
"The guys who are now in their second or third year with the club are really going to have to step up and under Sam's (Mitchell) guidance we'll be fine.
He's a tremendous character of the club and is well respected among the players and I'm sure he'll have lots of great ideas to speed up the leadership process."
Despite the absence of the retirees' names from the playing list, Gilham is confident that he and his team mates haven't seen the last of the boys around the club.
