Stephen Gilham
Encyclopedia
Stephen Gilham is an Australian rules football
player with the Hawthorn Football Club
.
Gilham's junior career was distinguished, playing for Oakleigh Chargers
in the TAC Cup
and in 2002 he was chosen to captain the Victoria Metro under 18 side in the national carnival. A skinny defender, Gilham was taken by Port Adelaide
with its first pick (pick 16 overall) in the 2002 AFL Draft
.
Gilham's return to Victoria (and the AFL) came courtesy of Hawthorn
, who selected him with pick 34 in the 2006 Rookie Draft
.
affiliate team, Box Hill
, before eventually earning an opportunity in the senior side in the round 19 match against Carlton
. He remained in the side for the remainder of the season, and impressed observers with his composure under pressure.
In recognition of his improvement in both game play and muscle mass, Gilham was promoted to Hawthorn's senior list for season 2007.
During the 2007 season, Gilham consolidated a role in the senior side. He played every match for the year, and was effective on a wide range of opponents in defence. His solid form continued in 2008, culminating with a key role in the 2008 AFL Grand Final
. After fellow key defender Trent Croad
was forced from the field with a broken foot early in the second quarter, Gilham's presence provided vital stability on the last line, helping the team to claim the 2008 AFL premiership.
Gilham injured his left knee when he hyperextended in a NAB Cup quarter-final against Carlton more in 2009 pre-season cup.
In round eight against St Kilda, Gilham ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will miss the rest of the 2011 season
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
player with the Hawthorn Football Club
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
.
Gilham's junior career was distinguished, playing for Oakleigh Chargers
Oakleigh Chargers
The Oakleigh Chargers are an Australian rules football club playing in the TAC Cup, an under-18 competition in Victoria, Australia. They are based at Warrawee Park in Oakleigh, Victoria, representing the southeastern suburban area of Melbourne...
in the TAC Cup
TAC Cup
The TAC Cup is an under 18 Australian rules football representative competition held in Victoria, Australia. It is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with each team representing 12 Victorian regions....
and in 2002 he was chosen to captain the Victoria Metro under 18 side in the national carnival. A skinny defender, Gilham was taken by Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
with its first pick (pick 16 overall) in the 2002 AFL Draft
2002 AFL Draft
The 2002 AFL Draft consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and the elevation of rookies. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.In 2002...
.
Port Adelaide
Gilham's three seasons at Port Adelaide were hampered by groin and shoulder injuries, together with difficulty gaining the strength to succeed as a key defender in the AFL. Gilham only managed one senior game during his time in South Australia, in 2005 as result of an injury and illness to two other players. He was delisted at the end of the season.Gilham's return to Victoria (and the AFL) came courtesy of Hawthorn
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
, who selected him with pick 34 in the 2006 Rookie Draft
2005 AFL Draft
The 2005 AFL Draft was the 2005 instance of the AFL Draft, the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.The 2005 Draft consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period...
.
Hawthorn
Gilham spent most of 2006 playing for Hawthorn's VFLVictorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
affiliate team, Box Hill
Box Hill Hawks
Box Hill Hawks Football Club is an Australian rules football club playing in the Victorian Football League. It has an alliance with the Hawthorn Football Club which plays in the Australian Football League....
, before eventually earning an opportunity in the senior side in the round 19 match against Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
. He remained in the side for the remainder of the season, and impressed observers with his composure under pressure.
In recognition of his improvement in both game play and muscle mass, Gilham was promoted to Hawthorn's senior list for season 2007.
During the 2007 season, Gilham consolidated a role in the senior side. He played every match for the year, and was effective on a wide range of opponents in defence. His solid form continued in 2008, culminating with a key role in the 2008 AFL Grand Final
2008 AFL Grand Final
The 2008 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football match contested between the Geelong Football Club and the Hawthorn Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on the 27th of September 2008...
. After fellow key defender Trent Croad
Trent Croad
Trent Eric Croad is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League .During his 222 game AFL career, he achieved some of the Australian Football League's highest honours including an AFL premiership medallion, All-Australian selection, representing...
was forced from the field with a broken foot early in the second quarter, Gilham's presence provided vital stability on the last line, helping the team to claim the 2008 AFL premiership.
Gilham injured his left knee when he hyperextended in a NAB Cup quarter-final against Carlton more in 2009 pre-season cup.
In round eight against St Kilda, Gilham ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will miss the rest of the 2011 season