With premiership Hawk Josh Gibson having announced his retirement, we're looking back over some of the amazing performances 'Gibbo' has put together in the brown and gold.
Read: Gibbo calls time on AFL career
Which is your favourite?
Semi-final 2011
vs Sydney at MCG
Hawthorn 19.8 122 def Sydney 13.8 86
In his second year as a Hawk, Josh Gibson was integral to this 36-point semi-final win over Sydney. The victory set up an epic, albeit losing, preliminary final with Collingwood the following week. From a statistical perspective, this game will always be remembered for when Gibson broke the league record for spoils in a game with 21, a record that remains today. In addition to his iron fist, the 27-year old Gibson’s offensive output was also notable, finishing with 20 touches, eight marks and a game-high eight rebound 50s.
Round 15 2015
vs Fremantle at University of Tasmania Stadium
Hawthorn 17.13 115 def Fremantle 6.7 43
Arguably Gibson’s best game in an All Australian year, Gibson helped the Hawks run all over the side the Hawks conquered less than two years earlier in the 2013 Grand Final. Fremantle had no answer for a rampaging Hawthorn outfit, anchored by a dominant Gibson. The full-back collected 27 possessions to go with his nine marks and 13 one-percenters. Gibson would later go on to win his second Peter Crimmins Medal in a premiership year for the Hawks.
Grand Final 2015
vs West Coast at MCG
Hawthorn 16.11 107 def West Coast 8.13 61
On the hunt for a premiership threepeat, Gibson followed up an outstanding Grand Final performance in 2014 with an even better game in 2015. His 32-possession effort in the 2014 win was special, but Gibson went to another level in 2015. Named among the Hawks’ best players on the day, the recently crowned All Australian gathered 29 possessions, nine marks and 10 one-percenters. The victory immortalised this team as one of the greatest sides of all time.
Round 2 2016
vs West Coast at MCG
Hawthorn 14.15 99 def West Coast 7.11 53
Gibson had a career-high 44 possessions in this Grand Final MCG rematch, as the Hawks dismantled the side they had vanquished at the same venue only seven months earlier. In addition to the huge possession haul that earned him three Brownlow votes, Gibson’s stellar performance will also be remembered for a moment midway through the final quarter, when he kicked his first goal for the club. Fans had to remain patient, it was Gibson’s 127th game for the Hawks!
Round 18 2016
vs Richmond at MCG
Hawthorn 16.18 114 def Richmond 5.14 44
Such is the difficulty of being awarded Brownlow votes as a defender, Gibson, a three-time premiership player, two-time club best and fairest winning All Australian, has only ever been awarded the maximum three votes on four occasions. Three of these have been in the brown and gold, while he also earned best on ground honours in his final game for North Melbourne in 2009. This Round 18 MCG clash was one of those four games, with Gibson having 31 touches and 12 marks. He also kicked the final of his five career goals on the day to put the cherry on top another outstanding game.
