Josh Gibson will never forget season 2013, the year in which he played career-best footy and achieved a childhood dream.
He played in a premiership and then to top it off, was named as the Club’s fairest and best player of the year, winning the Peter Crimmins Medal.
Gibson’s season from start to finish was outstanding as he cemented his place as one of the game’s best defenders and the game’s best spoiler.
A selfless player always willing to help his teammates when he can, Gibson took his game to another level in 2013.
Challenged with having to form a relationship with new recruit Brian Lake, Gibson and his new teammate became one of the best defensive duos in the league and were an impenetrable force by the end of the year.
There is no doubt the 29 year old benefitted greatly from Lake’s inclusion, which freed him up to make more of an impact as third-man up, focus more on his attacking game but most of all, battle an opposition forward against whom he’s not as undersized.
In 2012, he was ranked number one for one percenters and second for defensive 50 rebounds, but in 2013 he was ranked number one at the Club for both, averaging 8.4 one percenters per game and 3.2 rebound 50s.
An accurate kick, Gibson was also ranked third at the Club for disposal efficiency and in the top 10 for marks and contested marks.
In the absence of the injured Matt Suckling, Gibson also became valuable in his ability to provide run from defence.
He averaged 18.2 disposals in 24 of a possible 25 games, 4.7 marks and 1.9 tackles.
In fact, he gathered 20 or more disposals eight times and 15 or more in 13 games – impressive numbers for a player whose main objective is to nullify one of the opposition’s key forwards and prides himself on his ability to spoil rather than mark the ball.
He gathered a season-high 27 disposals twice – against Sydney in Round 7 where he was outstanding in the win and against Gold Coast in Round 9.
Gibson also gathered 26 disposals against the Saints in Round 20, where he was brilliant in defence, also taking eight marks.
His game against Collingwood in Round 21 too, shouldn’t be underrated and valued more for his defensive work rather than his 21 disposals. In that game, he helped teammate Brian Lake to shut down Travis Cloke, effectively zoning off to come over the top and kill the contest and kept Ben Reid goalless and to under 10 touches.
The defender was neck and neck with Jarryd Roughead at the conclusion of Round 23 in the Peter Crimmins Medal but ran over the top of his teammates thanks to his outstanding finals series.
He was excellent against the Swans in the Qualifying Final both offensively and defensively, shutting down Sydney’s Jesse White and Myke Pyke and, gathering 27 disposals of his own. He also took nine marks and laid three tackles.
His game against the Cats in the Preliminary Final was also one of his best for the year, and was highlighted by a match-winning one-on-one win against Jimmy Bartel in the dying minutes, where he spoiled, kept his feet and rebounded from defence to thwart another Geelong attack.
That is what is most valuable about Gibson and where he has improved as a player since crossing from the Kangaroos, he is dependable in the toughest situations, the pressure never gets to him.
He was also one of the side’s best in the Grand Final, pushing up the ground to thwart attacks and to help his fellow defenders when needed.
Gibson was also named in the All Australian squad of 40 but unfortunately missed out on selection, something that shocked many football fans.
What Chris Fagan said: “Winning the best and fairest in a premiership year is almost the ultimate accolade.
“It’s a good reward for three really consistent, high class season for the Hawks.
“His spoiling is a real standout but also this year his ability to mark the ball improved and his ability to rebound from defence was also something that grew in his game.”
Gibson in the news in 2013
- Gibson wins first Peter Crimmins Medal
- Prelim behind us, all eyes on the prize: Gibson
Videos featuring Gibson in 2013
- Josh Gibson Peter Crimmins Medal speech
