HAWTHORN defender Stephen Gilham says the leadership of Luke Hodge is invaluable to the team's defensive structure.

Gilham said Hodge's courage – as shown in the preliminary final win against the Western Bulldogs when he returned to the field after being crunched – was pivotal to Hawthorn's make-up down back.

"His direction and voice back there – he's a general back there," Gilham said.

"He likes to get on the front-foot with things and that makes us all walk a bit taller down there.

"The opposition worry about him being back down there, so that definitely helps us out."

Meanwhile, Gilham, who returned for the preliminary final after missing the qualifier with illness, said he knew he would be playing against the Dogs last Wednesday.

"It was great to be back," Gilham said.


"Football is a funny game sometimes, and it was just through misfortune that I missed a couple of weeks ago.

"We've got a great side now, and we've got a lot of depth. It's been a great part of our side where we've used about 31 players this year and they've all been able to play a role.

"We're all interchangeable."