PLAYING on the competition’s best forwards is often a thankless task.

It’s a challenge Josh Gibson has relished over the past 11 years – competing against the best, and delivering in the big moments.

The 32-year-old has established himself as one of the competition’s leading defenders, playing in three premierships, winning two club best and fairest awards, and even All Australian selection.

Whether it’s marking the key forward or playing a rebounding role, Gibson’s role can change from week-to-week, but his impact on the contest has been consistent across 199 games – and counting.

“I’ve had a lot of different roles within the defensive arc,” Gibson said.

“When I came over I was probably playing more on key position players. I love that challenge of playing on the best forwards and playing those lock-down roles.

“As it’s progressed, we’ve got some great talls into the club in Lakey (Brian Lake) and Chippa (James Frawley), and some younger guys coming through, it’s allowed me to play on that third tall, playing a bit more of a chop-out role and doing a bit more of rebounding.

“I really thoroughly enjoy playing all of those roles, it doesn’t really phase me, as long as I’m playing defence, I’m happy.”

There’s plenty of names that stand out to Gibson as tough opponents, but he’s reluctant to single one out of the pack.

Nick Riewoldt, Brendan Fevola and Lance Franklin are three names that spring to mind, among a plethora of key forwards that Gibson has had to tackle at various times throughout his career.

“It’s hard (to name one), because they’ve all got so many different attributes and aspects to them,” he said.

“Nick Riewoldt with his big running game, your GPS would be blown up, he’s a phenomenal athlete. Fevola was so strong, but quick over 20 metres, so he was quite tough. Bud’s up there as well as that hybrid who can do the magical things.

“I think when you’ve played a career and you’ve been able to play on the Jonathon Browns, the Barry Halls, the Fevolas, the Lloyds and then the modern-day ones, the Franklins, the (Jeremy) Camerons… there’s been an array of good forwards.”

Gibson’s ability to compete against the big names – or impact countless contests as a third-man up – has been crucial to the Hawks’ success.

The premierships have been the highlight for Gibson, as you would expect, from one of the Hawks’ leaders and defensive generals.

“The premierships far exceed everything, especially 2013, the first one,” Gibson said.

“There had been so much in moving clubs, making it to a grand final only to lose one in 2012 and being nervous to see if we’d get there again.

“To come back in ’13 and win one was probably the highlight of the three if I had to choose, but the last three years have been pretty special. I’ve been very lucky.”

Gibson isn’t yet finished pushing for team success – and if his 2016 is anything to go by, he’s determined to help the Hawks get back to the business end of the year again.

“I pretty much play 100 per cent game time each week, the body’s good, the mind’s still very fresh and hungry, so while you’ve got those thinGs and you’ve still got your speed – although I don’t have scintillating speed compared to some blokes at this club – but while I’m still travelling at the same pace as I always have, then things are good,” he said.