HE CAME to the Club as a solid defender who quietly performed his role for the team, but Josh Gibson has transformed himself into a leader, a player who has a positive impact on his teammates.

At least, that’s the opinion of a man who knows him better than most, Club defensive coach Luke Beveridge.

Gibson joined Hawthorn during the 2009 trade period as a player who could strengthen the Club’s defensive stocks.

Four years on and Gibson is forms part of the foundations of one of the best defences in the league and viewed as a leader both on and off the field.

He has also matured as a person and that has helped him to become a better player and better leader.

Beveridge says Gibson is a more selfless player now, than he ever has been despite his long standing reputation as a player who is courageous and would do anything for his teammates.

He still does all that, but now too, steps outside his own game and his own key performance indicators and channels into the goals and games of his defensive teammates.

“He’s become more selfless in that he steps outside of his own responsibilities and makes sure his teammates around him have his support,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“He is so strong willed and so dogmatic in what he does, that sometimes that can take away from what you can give to others.

“He’s now really impacting on his teammates’ mindsets and their own games and having a really positive affect on their performances as well.”

Since crossing to the Hawks, Gibson has developed an offensive side to his game, capable of being as effective rebounding off half back as he is in his key defensive posts.

Not only does he stand some of the biggest and toughest forwards from opposition teams and is a formidable opponent, he’s now capable of gathering 20 or more disposals a game and using his elite skills to set up teammates further up the ground.

He took a step forward last season when his ability to act almost as a running half back at times, but has underlined his standing as another player at Alastair Clarkson’s fingertips able to impact a game both offensively and defensively.

Arguably, the best illustration of how far Gibson has come as a player since he joined Hawthorn was his game against the Swans in Round 7.

Under lights at the MCG, in one of the biggest games of the season to date, Gibson was one of Hawthorn’s best as he nullified Swans forward Sam Reid, restricting him to just nine touches and one goal.

Gibson gathered 27 disposals himself, took 12 marks and had six rebound 50s and two inside 50s.

He missed the next game through injury but upon his return in Round 9 put in another strong performance from full back.

Against the Suns at the MCG last Sunday, Gibson gathered another 27 dispsoals, took six marks, had four rebound 50s and one inside 50.

Interestingly, Gibson is ranked number one at the Club for rebound 50s, averaging 4.4 per game.

That puts him ahead of Grant Birchall (ranked number two) who is well-known for his ability to rebound off half back.

Gibson is also ranked sixth at the Club for uncontested possessions and an overwhelming leader at the Club for one percenters.

He is now a formidable opponent on two levels and needless to say the Hawks are more than happy with his form.

“He had one or two games last year where he had high possession games but we’ve had a focus on his holistic game and not just pure hard core defence,” Beveridge said.

“He’s evolved into a player that has two really strong sides to his game and if, week in, week out can nullify his direct opponents but also have a really strong affect offensively, then that’s really going to help us.

“He’s been able to do that in recent times and we’re really happy with the way he’s playing.”