Wily Melbourne defender Michael Hibberd has done the sums.
At age 33 and carrying a cranky left Achilles, the ex-Bomber – now best known as one of the Demons’ drought-busting 2021 premiership players – is within shouting distance of his 200th career game.
Michael Hibberd (right) with Steven May after the Demons’ 2021 grand final triumph.Credit: AFL Photos
Hibberd would dearly love to reach his milestone match but isn’t sure whether he will play beyond this year, especially if Melbourne win another flag.
The Demons’ come-from-behind defeat of Richmond on Anzac Day eve doubled as Hibberd’s 188th appearance, including the first 84 at Essendon, with at least 17 games, plus almost certainly finals, for him to play the 12 matches he needs.
“The Achilles has been niggling a little bit, so I was actually surprised how well it got through [against the Tigers],” Hibberd said.
“I’ve been around for a while, and it’s hard not to look at how many games left there is to make 200. I just have to stay fit and healthy, and hopefully, I’ll get there, but we’ll worry about that when it happens.
“Right now, I’m just playing my role, and hopefully, we keep getting wins.”
That Hibberd role is enabling coach Simon Goodwin to get creative with his line-up at both ends.
He slots in as the third tall down back despite being only 186 centimetres – often taking the deepest forward – alongside All-Australians Steven May and Jake Lever, with a long-proven ability to man small forwards as well.
Hibberd is Melbourne’s third tall defender.Credit: Getty Images
But importantly, Hibberd releases swingman Harry Petty to play as a key forward, with plenty of moving parts in Melbourne’s attack. Petty and young gun Jacob van Rooyen partnered resting ruckman Max Gawn on Monday night, with Ben Brown and Tom McDonald down at Casey.
“I like to think I’m pretty flexible. I’ve played on smalls, and pretty crafty smalls, for years – but I’ve been saying for a while I enjoy playing a third tall role, or on the talls,” Hibberd said. “Petty has gone forward and shown he can play there. It’s just a different look for us. The coaches are pretty happy with the balance we’ve got back there.
“As long as I’m scrapping and fighting, I’ll hold my spot. We’ve got some quality players down there with Lever and ‘Maysy’ – they’re unbelievable blokes to work with, and they make you better every week.”
Hibberd might have an ailing body, but he remains highly valuable and trusted.
He renewed hostilities with Dustin Martin on Monday night after a number of closely fought battles across the years, then doused Noah Cumberland’s flames after three early goals propelled Richmond to a shock 25-point first-half lead.
Goodwin hailed his players’ ability to win that game, with Hibberd performing one of the key contributions, ahead of what looks a friendly upcoming draw against North Melbourne, Gold Coast and Hawthorn.
“We know Richmond are still a really quality side, and we knew they were going to be pumped up for the big game, and they came out firing, and we were probably a bit sluggish to begin with,” Hibberd said.
“I’m not sure what we held them to in the second half [26 points] but it is pretty pleasing to bounce back in the second half, keep them to a low score and get the result.
“You want to bank wins anytime in the season but early especially, to build momentum and confidence. We’re 4-2 now, in the top four, which is really important because you don’t know what the end of the year is going to look like.”
Hibberd was an All-Australian in 2017, in his first season at the Demons, after sitting out the previous season along with the other banned Bombers as part of the club’s infamous supplements penalty.
That came after he had taken the long route to the AFL, having been overlooked in his original draft year then forcing his way in with consecutive strong VFL campaigns for Frankston.
But those challenges paled in comparison to Hibberd tragically losing his brother and No.1 fan Geoff, who was never found after going on an early morning fishing trip in April 2020. Now, he just tries to “enjoy every week”.
“There’s been some crazy ups and downs along the way, but it’s been such a cool journey and regardless of what happens this year, whether I get 200 or not, I’m pretty happy with what I was able to accomplish
“It would be great to get there but if not, it’s not the end of the world. But hopefully, there’s still a lot more to go. I’m greedy – I want more success, so we’ll see.”
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