Hawthorn retiree Josh Gibson reveals he would take behind the scenes job at rival clubs

HAWTHORN great Josh Gibson says he would take a behind the scenes role at rival clubs as he plans life post retirement.

THREE-time Hawthorn premiership great Josh Gibson says he’s open to joining the Sydney Swans or GWS Giants in a behind the scenes capacity after retiring from professional AFL.

The 33-year-old will move from Melbourne to Sydney after spending the last five plus weeks living in the South African jungle competing on reality show I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!

“I want to give back to the game,” he said. “I think I’ve got a fair knowledge of defensive skills that I’d like to help educate players with. I would be open to working with the Swans, GWS, I think I’ve got a little bit of knowledge and I could help. Just giving knowledge to young defenders and working on tactics and stuff like that. Maybe they don’t want me though.”

Josh Gibson pictured after being voted out of the jungle during the fourth season of I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! Picture: Nigel Wright / Channel Ten

Meanwhile, Gibson spoke of his struggle with anxiety, for which he sought help from psychologists in the past. He also revealed fellow campmate Danny Green diagnosed him with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder while the pair lived in the jungle.

While not formally diagnosed by a doctor, he believes OCD would explain his old pre-game routine that included consuming 16 600ml Powerade drinks.

“I think I have OCD,” he said. “I’ve never been formally diagnosed but I look back now and I probably wasn’t 100 per cent truthful at times with the therapist in telling her everything. I am interested in seeing how I feel now not playing sport.”

Simone Holtznagel and Josh Gibson fuelled romance rumours. Picture: Ten

Accurate jungle challenge facial expression. Picture: Nigel Wright/Channel 10

He continued: “If I had a Saturday game, things had to start on a Thursday. I had so many routines that I would have to go through before a game. I always had to drink 16 600 ml Powerades, I had to listen to the same music, eat at the same places, wake up at the same time, it was just manic. Even to this day, there are just things in my life that if they are not organised then I feel manic and stressed. My life is very routine.”

Gibson and model Simone Holtznagel formed a strong friendship during their time in the jungle, sparking rumours of a romance.

While good friends, Gibson remains single and said the pair are more like “brother and sister”.

“There will be no party pashing, not with Simone,” laughed Gibson, who has dated a number of high profile women in the past including Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts. “I’m very single. It is just me and my dog Rocco off to Sydney.”

* The journalist is in South Africa as a guest of Channel Ten.