HIBBERD IS NOT READY TO STOP
MELBOURNE defender Michael Hibberd is expected to play in the semi-final against Hawthorn despite leaving training early.
Hibberd appeared to have knee discomfort during yesterday morning’s session, but the Demons are confident he will be ready for the MCG clash on Friday night.
The backman missed four matches late in the season because of a quad injury.
It will take a lot for Hibberd not to be available for the Hawks, especially given what he has been through.
Amid the euphoria of Melbourne’s first finals win for 12 years last Friday, the emotions were particularly strong for Hibberd and good mate Jake Melksham. This time two years ago, they were among 34 Essendon players about to end their 12-month bans, imposed because of the Bombers’ supplements debacle.
Melksham was already at Melbourne, having been traded after the 2015 season, and Hibberd joined him in late 2016.
Hibberd and Melksham have been important players for the Demons in their return to the top eight.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” Hibberd said.
“We had a little moment after the game. We looked at each other and said, ‘We’ve been waiting a long time for this’.”
Last Friday was the first finals win for Hibberd and Melksham, who each played in a losing elimination final at Essendon.
Now a 121-game veteran, Hibberd is finding it a novel experience to still be playing in September.
“But I’m loving it and I don’t want it to end,” he said.
“I feel like people are starting to see it the way I saw it and the way Goody (coach Simon Goodwin) envisioned it. He talked it up to me that this could be the list that goes well in finals.”