Gibson, a two-time Hawthorn best-and-fairest and All Australian defender, retired from the AFL at the end of 2017 and has largely stayed away from playing football since.

Ballarat coach Joe Carmody said he was wary of asking too much of the 37-year-old after a long stint on the sideline.

"He wants to play every game," Carmody told The Courier.

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"We're aiming for that, but we're realistic in terms of our expectations. He hasn't played for a number of years, and we don't want to run him into the ground.

"We want him to feel good about his body and not play under duress.

"It may just be a horses for courses type thing, but at this stage, we'll aim to play him every game we can."

Carmody had been catching up with friends late last year when he saw Gibson running a lap of Lake Wendouree and decided to make contact about a possible role with the Swans.

From there, things snowballed, and Gibson threw himself into the Swans' pre-season.

"(The signing) has been enormous for us. He brings so much knowledge with him, and he's willing to give back and share his experience with our players," Carmody said.

"He's 100 per cent committed to the Swans. I think it will have a long-lasting effect."

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