Gibson said the enormity of the achievement caught up with him after the siren.
"I was crying like a sissy after the game. I feel like I had 50 kilos lifted off my shoulders and I've never been so happy," he said.
"I didn't really feel pressure, but obviously the way I reacted after the game, it was a massive relief."
Gibson was full of praise for coach Alastair Clarkson, who helped lure him to the Hawks after four seasons with the Kangaroos.
He has played 82 games since joining Hawthorn prior to the 2010 season.
"During that time Hawthorn had a vision of the role they saw me playing and where they saw the club going, and that's all come true today," Gibson said.
"I just love playing here. I'm so lucky to play for the club I grew up barracking for. I owe a lot to the footy club, and Clarko is a fantastic coach and he's really got the best out of some guys he got across.
"I think myself and Haley (David Hale) have really gone up a level since we came across and that's a credit to the playing group here and the football department."