DEFENDER Josh Gibson is set to play his 200^th AFL match, when Hawthorn takes on Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The triple-premiership star has been a regular fixture of the Hawks’ back six since crossing from North Melbourne at the end of 2009.

Gibson was recruited by the Kangaroos with pick seven in the 2005 Rookie Draft from VFL club Port Melbourne.

He played 65 games between 2006 and 2009 for the Kangaroos, before being recruited by the Hawks, in exchange for picks 25 and 41 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft.

Since then, Gibson has firmly established himself as one of the competition’s best defenders and an invaluable leader at Hawthorn.

The 32-year-old has played 134 games across his seven seasons at Hawthorn, featuring in the club’s 2013, 2014 and 2015 premiership triumphs.

He has won the club’s best and fairest twice, both times in premiership years – 2013 and 2015 – and was named the club’s Most Consistent Player and Best Player in Finals during 2011.

Last year, Gibson earned All Australian selection for the first time, a season in which he averaged a career-best 21.9 disposals and 8.3 marks per game.

He led the Hawks in marks (207) and time on the ground (98.9 per cent), and was also was in the club’s top five for disposals, uncontested possessions, contested marks and rebound 50s.

Gibson equalled the record for the most disposals in a game by a Hawk in Round 2 of 2016, tallying 44 disposals against West Coast Eagles. He also kicked his first goal for the club in that match, after 127 games in brown and gold.