Amidst all the fuss over Triple H (Hooker, Hurley and Heppell), this bloke seems to be going under the radar in the discussion on picking at the Essendon carcass.

He is averaging 23 disposals over his last two seasons and provides essential drive from halfback for the Dons. Having elevated his game in 2013, he was in All Australian contention for an extended period and hasn't regressed much since, all things considered. 

Skilful and courageous in the air, he could be another piece of the puzzle in forming a back six that is tough, composed and reliable by foot. He's stil only 26 so young enough to be around when the club is having a tilt and old enough to provide valuable experience. He is also another left footer, for those who love the south toes.

He wouldn't come with the associated hype or price tag of the others, so a second round pick would get it done.

While appreciating that Melksham was brought to the club for a halfback role, additional competition can't hurt.

Thoughts?

 

Our HBF stocks are very low - Lumumba is (occasionally) okay with ball in hand, but is rubbish defensively; Salem is poor defensively and doesn't win enough of his own footy; Grimes is clearly out of favour; White and Wagner are a long way from being the finished product, although I like the look of White.

As such, we should definitely look at any one who can defend well and hurt the opposition going the other way. If Hibberd is that person, great, as he won't cost us anything.

Melksham,

8 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Melksham,

forgot about that guy.

9 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Melksham,

...brings all the boys to the yard?

For me it all comes down to their status at the end of the year.  If the suspended players contest their contracts and become free agents, yes please- the more the merrier.

A player like Hibberd though I wouldn't be willing to trade much for.

14 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

For me it all comes down to their status at the end of the year.  If the suspended players contest their contracts and become free agents, yes please- the more the merrier.

A player like Hibberd though I wouldn't be willing to trade much for.

Were you happy with giving up Pick 25 for Melksham?

No intention on bagging Melksham just curious as to how you comparatively assess the two.

Whilst not thrilled with pick 25, I see a bigger upside in Melksham.

With that said, we can't consider them in isolation, we need to look at the package.  Last year we gave up a second round pick for a mid-range player with potential... now that that has been done, do we want to do it two years in a row?

31 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Whilst not thrilled with pick 25, I see a bigger upside in Melksham.

With that said, we can't consider them in isolation, we need to look at the package.  Last year we gave up a second round pick for a mid-range player with potential... now that that has been done, do we want to do it two years in a row?

Okay, well we disagree on that front. I rate Hibberd higher than Melksham and certainly less of a gamble. He has retained some degree of form over the past two years. Melksham has not.

I'd part company with a second round pick if it came down to it, given we know what we'd be getting. 

Mellksham will be a great pick up for us in due course. I'm absolutely certain of it.

 

Quote

Hibberd was drafted by Essendon with the fourth pick in the 2011 pre-season draft ^[3] and made his debut in round 6, 2011 against Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium.

In September 2011, He pleaded guilty to assault charges in relation to a late night fight that occurred in Mornington in July 2011. He escaped conviction, but received a $2500 fine and was suspended for the remainder of the season by Essendon for a drunken attack in which he knocked a man out.^[4]

fyi

41 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

Hibberd was drafted by Essendon with the fourth pick in the 2011 pre-season draft [3] and made his debut in round 6, 2011 against Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium.

In September 2011, He pleaded guilty to assault charges in relation to a late night fight that occurred in Mornington in July 2011. He escaped conviction, but received a $2500 fine and was suspended for the remainder of the season by Essendon for a drunken attack in which he knocked a man out.[4]

Sweet! A former fourth pick with 5 years experience? There's literally no downside!

6 minutes ago, Chook said:

Sweet! A former fourth pick with 5 years experience? There's literally no downside!

You missed the pre-season draft part. I doubt that he's high on our list of priorities.

50 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

fyi

Will he pass the no DH policy, even though Goodwin is in charge next year?

4 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Will he pass the no DH policy, even though Goodwin is in charge next year?

a very good question, for once, moonie. i'll leave it to wyl to answer that one

17 minutes ago, mo64 said:

You missed the pre-season draft part. I doubt that he's high on our list of priorities.

I never mentioned which draft. A fourth pick is a fourth pick! And besides, the National Draft happens in the pre-season right?

Edited April 14, 20169 yr by Chook

14 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

a very good question, for once, moonie. i'll leave it to wyl to answer that one

Thanks. That's one more than you dc 

1 hour ago, Moonshadow said:

Thanks. That's one more than you dc 

bit touchy tonight, moonie  damo upset you?

31 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

bit touchy tonight, moonie  damo upset you?

No dc, like for like comment

 

Hibberd could possibly be available for next year by the sounds of things.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-09/suspended-dons-to-wait-on-decision-to-return

Worth a look? Probably not quite key position size, but solid player and a mature body to help take the pressure off Hunt and Wagner, and give TMac someone with a strong defensive side to work with.

Thoughts?

 

A no for me as we have bigger needs to chase and Melksham will be another we have next year. 

3 minutes ago, stuie said:

Hibberd could possibly be available for next year by the sounds of things.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-09/suspended-dons-to-wait-on-decision-to-return

Worth a look? Probably not quite key position size, but solid player and a mature body to help take the pressure off Hunt and Wagner, and give TMac someone with a strong defensive side to work with.

Thoughts?

 

26 years old. As long as we weren't paying stupid money, i don't mind it. 

Keep forgetting we have Melksham in the stands too.

Hurley is still my number one priority but i think we will be out bid.

2 minutes ago, The Song Formerly Known As said:

26 years old. As long as we weren't paying stupid money, i don't mind it. 

Keep forgetting we have Melksham in the stands too.

Hurley is still my number one priority but i think we will be out bid.

Same here, Hurley is the perfect fit for us, but just have a feeling the Bombers are staggering their announcements to keep the fans up and about, so he's probably already re-signed.

Hibberd and Melksham are roughly the same size, so that may cancel out the idea of Hibberd, but I feel like Hibberd has more of a stopper game whereas Melksham will be a rebounding player.

 

Edited June 9, 20169 yr by stuie

5 minutes ago, The Song Formerly Known As said:

26 years old. As long as we weren't paying stupid money, i don't mind it. 

Keep forgetting we have Melksham in the stands too.

Hurley is still my number one priority but i think we will be out bid.

He might just like to come to a fast tracking team with prospects...for reasonable dollars and a warm fuzzy reunion with goody and macca...  Funny world !!

Edited June 9, 20169 yr by beelzebub

word from a normally pessimistic Bombers friend is that Hurley told an acquaintance that he was going to stay with the bombers .

As usual at this time of year rumors fly around the only relevance is that my mate is normally doom and gloom for his side and he sounded confident .