HAWTHORN’s ability to recruit the right players has been a feature of the club’s success in recent years.

At the end of 2009, the Hawks secured two players from other clubs.

One was Josh Gibson, who joined the club after four seasons and 65 games for North Melbourne. The other was Shaun Burgoyne, who after 157 games and a premiership at Port Adelaide, decided the time was right for a new challenge.

In their own ways, both have gone on to become essential components – and leaders – of a team which has struck premiership gold over the past three seasons.

“We came across together at the end of ’09, and the club dangled premiership success in our faces,” Gibson said.

“To have some of that has been great, and now to celebrate his 300^th game with him is going to be very special.

“Shaun’s been a fantastic player for the club.

“He’s so well regarded around this football club, he’s a fantastic leader and so many of our younger guys have learned so much about the game from getting to play alongside Shaun.”

After missing the finals in 2009, the Hawks have played finals every year since.

It’s hard to emphasize just how important the duo has been.

While the nickname Silk has caught on in recent years, it’s the opposite that attracts Gibson to Burgoyne, his ability to get his hands dirty and find ways to get the job done.

“His contested football, his ability to smash bodies… I think particularly his tackling is second to none,” he said.

“I’ve always enjoyed watching Shaun get dirty in those areas.”

The duo has spent the past six and a half years with just two lockers in between them, and Gibson (pending selection) can’t wait to celebrate a fantastic achievement on Friday night.

“Hopefully we can cap it off with a win for him,” he said.