With the 2014 season now complete, hawthornfc.com.au will review the season of those who played a senior game for the Hawks in 2014 with the help of GM - Football Operations Chris Fagan.

After winning the best and fairest in 2013, Josh Gibson faced some challenges in 2014 before becoming a dual premiership player with the Hawks.

When analysing his season as a whole, Gibson was actually quite remarkable given he missed eight weeks with a torn pectoral muscle but returned to again be a critical piece of Hawthorn’s premiership puzzle.

Testament to his professionalism, Gibson attacked his rehab with a positive attitude and did everything he could to return quickly and give himself enough time to gain match fitness and confidence in the repaired muscle before finals.

He timed his run perfectly, returning in the Round 18 win over Sydney where he performed well beyond expectations in his first game since Round 8.

Gibson played on former teammate Lance Franklin in his return and performed well, while he was also at times released to play a more attacking role.

He picked up 21 disposals and became a weapon across half-back.

His form late in the season and during the finals flew in the face of those who doubted he could return to make an impact after such a significant injury, with Gibson one of a number of Hawks who were conditioned perfectly by the medical team during his rehab.

With the inclusion and impressive form of Matt Spangher in the backline filling another key defensive post, Coach Alastair Clarkson was able to alter Gibson’s job, which saw him play a more attacking role.

While he still played on some of the game’s best forwards, Gibson was released to use his foot skills and run from defence to add another dimension to the already-damaging half backline of Grant Birchall, Matthew Suckling, Shaun Burgoyne and Taylor Duryea.

It meant Gibson averaged a career-high 21.1 disposals in his 17 games this season, up from his previous career-best of 18.1 in 2013.

On average, Gibson was actually Hawthorn’s most prolific rebound defender, averaging a Club-best 3.2 rebound 50s per game – averaging 0.3 more than next best, Suckling.

But he also stuck to his biggest strength, which is playing a selfless role and continuing to establish himself as one of the best spoiler in the game. He was again ranked number one at the Hawks and fourth in the league for one-percenters, averaging 9.0 per game.

Despite playing just 17 of 25 possible games, Gibson still managed to finish 10^th in the Peter Crimmins Medal and scored votes in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award in rounds 4, 7 and 23.

In fact, he scored the perfect 10 from the coaches in the voting in Round 23, when he picked up a career-best 36 disposals at 83.3 per cent efficiency, took 11 marks and had six one-percenters against Collingwood.

That performance was one of four 30-plus disposal games from Gibson in 2014 and he also had six games where he picked up 20 disposals or more.

He was again outstanding during the finals series, playing again with the freedom of an attacking defender but also as that dynamic and consistent defensive stopper and spoiler.

Gibson was brilliant in the Grand Final, picking up 32 disposals against the Swans despite spending some time on Franklin.

He also had 22 disposals and took eight marks against the Cats in the Qualifying Final.

He played his 150^th game in Round 2 and despite being 30 years of age seems to be getting better with age, just like a number of his teammates.
 

What GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said: “We managed to cover for him while he was out with injury but it was great to get him back into the team later in the season.

“‘Gibbo’ changed his role a bit this year – he didn’t necessarily play as much on the big forwards as he became a rebounder and a chop out player. There were a number of games where he picked up 25-30 disposals, so he’s added another dimension to his game. It’s really pleasing when you’ve got a 30 year old who can do that.”
 

Josh Gibson in the news in 2014
- Injury ignites Gibson hunger
- Gibson gets the votes against the Pies
- Injury news: Test for Gibson
- 150 games: Gibson enters the next phase

Videos featuring Josh Gibson in 2014
- Gib’s Gauntlet: Celebrities
- Gib’s Gauntlet: Cheersquad edition
- #everymoment: Gibson

Josh Gibson and teammate Matt Spangher soak up the glory of the 2014 premiership.