HAWTHORN Assistant Coach Brendon Bolton says Josh Gibson’s courageous act in the third quarter of Sunday’s win over Brisbane typifies the attitude of the playing group towards season 2013.

The Hawks defender ran back with courage into oncoming traffic near the boundary line at the Northern end of Aurora Stadium.

Gibson affected the spoil, never once fearing for what might happen, and having no thought of the fact he was leaving his body exposed to a possible heavy collision.

He collided with Lions forward James Polkinghorne as his body flung through the air before crashing to the turf in a sickening hit that could have left him with serious neck injuries.

Gibson landed on his neck, with his head pushing hard into the Aurora Stadium turf.

He was in the hands of the trainers for a minute before getting back to his feet and slowly jogging from the ground before returning soon after being cleared of injury.

Bolton says Gibson’s courage symbolises the commitment of the Hawthorn players on Sunday and indeed, in its pursuit of success in 2013.

He says the playing group and the coaching staff have set high standards, and acts like Gibson’s epitomise those.

“That typifies some of the attitudes of the guys on the weekend, I thought their effort was really strong,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“There were some really courageous acts and none better than Gibbo’s where he went back with the flight.

“They’re all the things – setting high standards and benchmarks internally and looking for ways in which they can improve their game.”

The Hawks had a number of youngsters in its side on Sunday and haven’t been afraid to try new players throughout season 2013.

There have been four debutants (Taylor Duryea, Jonathon Ceglar, Jed Anderson and Sam Grimley), and three players too, who have their club debuts.

While Brian Lake and Matt Spangher are two of those, and site at the more experienced end of the spectrum, the leadership and courage shown by the leaders, players who perform acts like Gibson did on Sunday, show the youngsters what’s expected at Hawthorn.

“All footy clubs look for those acts and what they are is spirit lifting,” Bolton said.

“When you’re playing young guys in a side as well, it sets a pattern and a tone for them to learn from.

“The more experiences players have been really great in terms of their leadership and hopefully that sets a really good standard for years to come as well.”