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JOSH Gibson's joy at winning his second premiership medal with Hawthorn was tempered by seeing his best mate, former Hawk Lance Franklin, suffer the pain of another Grand Final defeat.
Gibson went toe-to-toe with his best mate for much of Saturday's game and split the points, collecting 32 disposals but watching Franklin kick four goals and be one of the Swans' best.
While Gibson had the last laugh in helping Hawthorn to back-to-back flags, he said it was hard seeing Buddy suffer the way he did.
Following Jordan Lewis, he was the second Hawk to shake hands and console Franklin after the final siren.
"There's always going to be emotion - he's a good mate," Gibson said.
"I've been on the side of losing a Grand Final and it's not a great feeling and he'll be going through that.
"I'll give him space and when it's all said and done we'll catch up and hang out like normal.
"He's got a lot of close friends here, but that's footy, isn't it? We're all mates, but when you cross the white line you're enemies."
Gibson was sporting a big gash above his right eye but paid it little attention as he celebrated with teammates, family and friends in the dressing-room post-match.
He and Brian Lake shared duties on Franklin and Swans spearhead Kurt Tippett, who kicked just one goal and had to come a long way up the ground for most of his 16 disposals.
Gibson said while mentally it was no trouble tackling Franklin, the job had its challenges after they had played four seasons together in the brown and gold.
"Being at North Melbourne and playing on him before, it's a similar routine, but it's a bit tough because I told him some of my tricks when I came to Hawthorn," Gibson laughed.
"I used to try and talk (trash) to him, but it doesn't work anymore.
"He's a fantastic player and he still kicked four goals and it's very hard to keep him down for the whole game but I thought the guys did a great job."
