HAWTHORN defender Josh Gibson has given every indication he is close to signing a contract extension with the club.

Gibson, 32, is among the Hawks' 30-plus veterans who are yet to put pen to paper for next season, including captain Luke Hodge, 32, and Shaun Burgoyne, 33.

Midfielder Sam Mitchell, 33, signed a one-year contract extension at the start of last month.

Gibson said a new deal for 2017 was "pretty close" to being finalised.

"I'm pretty confident I'll be playing next year," Gibson told Channel Nine on Sunday.

"We've always said at Hawthorn it's not about age. 'Clarko' [coach Alastair Clarkson] doesn't look at birth certificates, it's (about) the way you play for the side.

"I've just tried to be consistent this year as some of the other guys."

Gibson, who has featured in 209 games, has been a proven performer in the Hawks' backline and is renowned for his ability to spoil the ball in defence.

The three-time premiership Hawk has appeared in all but one match this season, missing the solitary game against St Kilda in round four due to hamstring tightness.

Hawthorn is sitting one game clear at the top of the ladder following its 39-point win over eight-placed North Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday.