Shinboner No.921 Josh Gibson played 65 games in four years for the Kangaroos before he switched stripes to join Hawthorn at the end of 2009. He featured 160 times for the Hawks from 2010 to 2017 under now North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson.

Playing primarily as a key defender, Gibson was a crucial part of Hawthorn's three Grand Final victories across 2013-2015, underlined by his two Best and Fairest wins in 2013 and 2015.

Gibson will not only reunite with Clarkson, but with fellow three-time flag winner Liam Shiels and versatile 96-gamer Daniel Howe, who all shared time at the Hawks.

As the final addition to North Melbourne's 2023 coaching panel, Gibson will support assistant coach John Blakey in defence as a specialist coach.