Jump to content

Michael Hibberd and Michael Hurley


P-man

Recommended Posts

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?

 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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?

Link to comment
Share on other sites


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. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 by Chook
Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • 1 month later...

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?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 by stuie
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 by beelzebub
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 . 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    2024 Player Reviews: #15 Ed Langdon

    The Demon running machine came back with a vengeance after a leaner than usual year in 2023.  Date of Birth: 1 February 1996 Height: 182cm Games MFC 2024: 22 Career Total: 179 Goals MFC 2024: 9 Career Total: 76 Brownlow Medal Votes: 5 Melbourne Football Club: 5th Best & Fairest: 352 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    2024 Player Reviews: #24 Trent Rivers

    The premiership defender had his best year yet as he was given the opportunity to move into the midfield and made a good fist of it. Date of Birth: 30 July 2001 Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 100 Goals MFC 2024: 2 Career Total:  9 Brownlow Medal Votes: 7 Melbourne Football Club: 6th Best & Fairest: 350 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 2

    TRAINING: Monday 11th November 2024

    Veteran Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin, Slartibartfast & Demon Wheels were on hand at Gosch's Paddock to kick off the official first training session for the 1st to 4th year players with a few elder statesmen in attendance as well. KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Beautiful morning. Joy all round, they look like they want to be there.  21 in the squad. Looks like the leadership group is TMac, Viney Chandler and Petty. They look like they have sli

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    2024 Player Reviews: #1 Steven May

    The years are rolling by but May continued to be rock solid in a key defensive position despite some injury concerns. He showed great resilience in coming back from a nasty rib injury and is expected to continue in that role for another couple of seasons. Date of Birth: 10 January 1992 Height: 193cm Games MFC 2024: 19 Career Total: 235 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 24 Melbourne Football Club: 9th Best & Fairest: 316 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons

    2024 Player Reviews: #4 Judd McVee

    It was another strong season from McVee who spent most of his time mainly at half back but he also looked at home on a few occasions when he was moved into the midfield. There could be more of that in 2025. Date of Birth: 7 August 2003 Height: 185cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 48 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 1 Brownlow Medal Votes: 1 Melbourne Football Club: 7th Best & Fairest: 347 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    2024 Player Reviews: #31 Bayley Fritsch

    Once again the club’s top goal scorer but he had a few uncharacteristic flat spots during the season and the club will be looking for much better from him in 2025. Date of Birth: 6 December 1996 Height: 188cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 149 Goals MFC 2024: 41 Career Total: 252 Brownlow Medal Votes: 4

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 9

    2024 Player Reviews: #18 Jake Melksham

    After sustaining a torn ACL in the final match of the 2023 season Jake added a bit to the attack late in the 2024 season upon his return. He has re-signed on to the Demons for 1 more season in 2025. Date of Birth: 12 August 1991 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 229 Goals MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 188

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 7

    2024 Player Reviews: #3 Christian Salem

    The luckless Salem suffered a hamstring injury against the Lions early in the season and, after missing a number of games, he was never at his best. He was also inconvenienced by minor niggles later in the season. This was a blow for the club that sorely needed him to fill gaps in the midfield at times as well as to do his best work in defence. Date of Birth: 15 July 1995 Height: 184cm Games MFC 2024: 17 Career Total: 176 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 26 Brownlow Meda

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 8

    2024 Player Reviews: #39 Koltyn Tholstrop

    The first round draft pick at #13 from twelve months ago the strongly built medium forward has had an impressive introduction to AFL football and is expected to spend more midfield moments as his career progresses. Date of Birth: 25 July 2005 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 10 Goals MFC 2024: 5 Career Total: 5 Games CDFC 2024: 7 Goals CDFC 2024: 4

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 9
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...