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Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson has joined the long list of AFL stars retiring this season. The triple premiership winner, 33, spoke at a media conference alongside coach Alastair Clarkson on Tuesday afternoon. Gibson has played 160 games since 2010 for the Hawks after starting his career at North Melbourne, where he played 65 matches. He will hang up the boots at season's end, and admitted he had almost certainly played his final game of footy. "I've probably known for most of the year that this would be my last season," Gibson said. "I still love coming to the club every day, but as we've seen over the past couple of months there are several young guys ready to take over the reins in the back-end and I'm more than happy to step aside for them. "Since getting injured in Round 12 I've been working really hard in my rehabilitation but I'm only back to around 75 percent fitness and given the development of our young defenders, I'm content with the fact that I won't play another game of AFL footy. "While I'd love to run out in the brown and gold one more time, I'd never do so at the expense of a young player with their whole career ahead of them. I'm satisfied knowing that I'll leave the club with nothing left in the tank and with memories and friendships that'll last a lifetime."  Gibson debuted in 2006 after being selected by North Melbourne in the 2005 rookie draft. He was traded to Hawthorn at end of the 2009 season. JOSH GIBSON CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Premiership side: 2013, 2014, 2015
All Australian team: 2015
Peter Crimmins Medal: 2013, 2015
Hawthorn best player in finals: 2011
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