HAWTHORN defender Josh Gibson has been rewarded for his outstanding season with his first Club best and fairest on Saturday night, winning the Peter Crimmins Medal.
Gibson won with 178 votes, with Coleman Medal winner Jarryd Roughead the runner-up on 167 votes and four-time Peter Crimmins medallist Sam Mitchell in third with 157 votes.
The reliable and consistent Hawks defender led at Rounds 10 and 21, with another excellent finals series ensuring he was crowned the 2013 Peter Crimmins medallist.
Gibson flourished in his role as centre half back in 2013, continuing his vast improvement since crossing from the Kangaroos to the Hawks at the end of 2009.
This year, he formed a formidable partnership with Brian Lake who joined the Hawks during last season’s trade period.
The duo became one of the competition’s best defensive pairs.
Throughout the year, Gibson enhanced his reputation as one of the best spoilers in the game, with his ability to zone off his opponent and assist his teammates by being third man up is one of the best in the competition.
He reads the ball well in the air and is reliable in one on one contests.
This season, he also added an offensive aspect to his game in the absence of key running backs Grant Birchall and Matt Suckling.
He played in 24 of 25 matches and averaged 18.2 disposals and was ranked number one at the Club for one percenters and third for effective disposal efficiency.
Other award winners on the night were Jack Gunston (Best Player in Finals), Isaac Smith (Most Promising), Taylor Duryea (Best First Year Player), Luke Hodge (Best Clubman) and Ben Stratton (Most Consistent).
Final 2013 Peter Crimmins Medal leaderboard
Josh Gibson 178
Jarryd Roughead 167
Sam Mitchell 157
Ben Stratton 152
Luke Hodge 146
Shaun Burgyone 127
Grant Birchall 120
Luke Breust 116
Jack Gunston 116
Isaac Smith 109
