In brief
AFL matches: 25
Disposals per game: 21.9
Kicks per game: 12.1
Handballs per game: 9.8
Uncontested possessions per game: 17.4
Marks per game: 8.3
One-percenters per game: 6.8
Rebound 50s per game: 2.6
Disposal efficiency: 86.1%
Time on ground: 98.9%
Review
DEFENSIVE lynchpin Josh Gibson again reinforced just how important he is to Hawthorn, producing a sensational 2015 season.
The triple-premiership Hawk won his second Peter Crimmins Medal – for the second time in a premiership season (after 2013).
Ultra consistent and the ultimate professional, Gibson missed just one game – in Round 2 – featuring heavily for the Hawks in a number of different defensive roles.
At times, Gibson played as a lockdown defender, whereas other weeks he was able to play more of a rebounding role.
He averaged just under 21 disposals per game, and collected 20 or more disposals in 17 matches.
His season tally of 547 disposals was 111 more than his previous best, in 2013 when he also won Hawthorn’s best and fairest.
Gibson was one of the Hawks’ most effective ball users, with 86.1 per cent of his disposals effective.
Capable of playing tall or small, Gibson spent a phenomenal 98.9 per cent of his time on ground in 2015, ranking first at the club for one-percenters and marks, and second for rebound 50s.
He polled club best and fairest votes in all but three games, and was rewarded for his year with a maiden All Australian selection in the back line alongside GWS Giants’ Heath Shaw and Richmond’s Alex Rance.
Gibson started the season strongly, with impressive performances against Geelong Cats (26 disposals, 11 marks) in Round 1 and Port Adelaide (29 disposals, 12 weeks) in Round 4.
But that was only the beginning.
In Rounds 15 and 17, the 31-year-old was influential in big wins against Fremantle Dockers and Carlton, before he found another gear in the finals.
Gibson averaged 27 disposals and more than nine marks per game in the Hawks’ three winning finals, as the Hawks recorded their third premiership in succession.
His leadership in the back half of the ground, and his ability to chop out opposition forward entries in the air or at ground level makes him an irreplaceable member of Hawthorn’s defensive six.
There’s no doubting Gibson took his game to another level in 2015.
Hawks fans will be hoping he can do the same again next season.
GM - Football Operations Chris Fagan says...
“Josh would be pretty rapt, he’s a dual best and fairest winner at Hawthorn now and both of those occurred in premiership years,” Fagan said.
“He would be feeling pretty good about himself and quite rightly so, he had a really consistent year even though his role varied from week to week.
“Some weeks he played like a rebounding defender, other weeks he was shutting down opposition tall forwards, but his adaptability to that was outstanding.
“The other great thing for Gibbo this year is that for the first time he was named as an All Australian.
“He’s probably been unlucky not to have been an All Australian on two or three previous occasions, so for him to get that at his age is fantastic for him and the club.
“He’s been a super recruit for us since his joined the club from North Melbourne.”
In the news
VIDEO: Gibson humbled to win second Peter Crimmins Medal
NEWS: Beware latte-drinking Swans, says Gibson
NEWS: Three Hawks in All Australian side
