WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - MICHAEL HIBBERD

[DEE fence 5,002]

I was pretty excited watching Hibberd come off half back, haven't voted yet because i can't place his game - Oh and this song was a genius reference, am not going to be able to forget this for a bit

[old55 23,369]

He's very, very good at what he does.  But 6 games, 3 tackles total?

[Little Richard 6,261]

6 minutes ago, Fifty-5 said:

He's very, very good at what he does.  But 6 games, 3 tackles total?

Classic half back flanker 

He's never averaged more than about 1.5 tackles a game throughout his career, so we knew what we were getting. And that's fine because what he does at the moment, no one else in the back line can do.

Edited May 29, 2017 by Luther

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,477]

6 minutes ago, Fifty-5 said:

He's very, very good at what he does.  But 6 games, 3 tackles total?

That's a pretty unpleasant stat.. perhaps every time the ball is near him, he's the one that wins it??

(every time except for three)

[Lord Ivanhoe 311]

I'd rather be in appreciation mode. One of the best backmen we have had for 20 years!

 

[Stingray 157]

Finally some recognition he's one of the recruits of the year from someone outside the footy club. Great to see. This is from afl websites list of players in contention for all Australian mid way through the year.

 

melb = garlett, hibberd, Jetta, oliver

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

 
http://m.afl.com.au/news/2017-06-14/how-a-former-don-is-steering-the-dees-to-finals

Of equal importance to Jack's finishing skills was Hibberd's last minute diving spoil against De Goey that not only disallowed what could have easily been a goal to Collingwood, but presented us with the opportunity to go end-to-end and put the game beyond doubt. Which is what eventuated.

The picture is amazing.

What's not so amazing is how another AFL journo can so easily muddle up De Goey with Treloar. Really amateur given it's their proffession. 

Anyway, Hibberd has been monumental for us this year. An enormous moment.

 

Edited June 14, 2017 by stevethemanjordan

[Jaded No More 68,867]

On 2017-5-27 at 10:44 PM, Nasher said:

Was he this good at Essendon? Easily in our top 5 players at present. He looks elite.

I don't care enough about Essendon to know for sure, but all I know is my friend who is a die hard Essendon supporter was devastated to lose him!

He said at the time he'll be in our top 5 best players, and I lol'ed and told him to get stuffed because Essendon just want to rip us off.

Now every week all I do is curse him for Melksham and thank him for Hibberd. He hates me. 

[Jaded No More 68,867]

On 2017-5-29 at 1:52 PM, Fifty-5 said:

He's very, very good at what he does.  But 6 games, 3 tackles total?

Doesn't lose enough contest one on one to tackle?

Still should tackle more, but I think the plan for him is to get ball and attack, rather than play a more shut down role.

 

[Nasher 33,607]

I don't understand the lack of tackles - he's such a strong competitor in general and very hard to get the footy past; winning tackles seems like the next logical piece.  

He's got 4 tackles in total in 7 games for the MFC.  That's a very low number whichever way you cut it.  Maybe it is a genuine weakness in his game, but so far nobody cares because his contests and use of the footy out of the back line are first rate, and an element we've been absolutely screaming for. I'm sure not complaining at all, just trying to understand.

[Vogon Poetry 2,095]

14 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

 

Of equal importance to Jack's finishing skills was Hibberd's last minute diving spoil against De Goey that not only disallowed what could have easily been a goal to Collingwood,

 

And Oscar McDonald's clever kick to Harmes....

[Nasher 33,607]

4 minutes ago, Nasher said:

I don't understand the lack of tackles - he's such a strong competitor in general and very hard to get the footy past; winning tackles seems like the next logical piece.  

He's got 4 tackles in total in 7 games for the MFC.  That's a very low number whichever way you cut it.  Maybe it is a genuine weakness in his game, but so far nobody cares because his contests and use of the footy out of the back line are first rate, and an element we've been absolutely screaming for. I'm sure not complaining at all, just trying to understand.

To answer my own question a bit, looking at the numbers closely, our defenders are nearly all in the bottom few players for tackles.  Hibberd and the McDonald bros regularly feature at the bottom end of the ladder.  The inside mids (Viney, Oliver etc) sit at the top.  The ladder for 1%ers - of which spoils is a key feature - almost looks like the tackles ladder in reverse, with Hibberd, McDonald bros, Frost and Jetta often featuring at the top.

[rpfc 28,253]

7 minutes ago, Nasher said:

I don't understand the lack of tackles - he's such a strong competitor in general and very hard to get the footy past; winning tackles seems like the next logical piece.  

He's got 4 tackles in total in 7 games for the MFC.  That's a very low number whichever way you cut it.  Maybe it is a genuine weakness in his game, but so far nobody cares because his contests and use of the footy out of the back line are first rate, and an element we've been absolutely screaming for. I'm sure not complaining at all, just trying to understand.

I think this would be a by product of his role in contests - we want him on the end of handpass out of traffic not in there competing and tackling to handpass out...

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

1 minute ago, Vogon Poetry said:

And Oscar McDonald's clever kick to Harmes....

 

Haha.

A clearing kick that happened to find a Melbourne jumper?

I guess some might say that's clever.

 

[TheoX 1,222]

Makes up for Essendrug ripping us off for Milkshakes, he's been fantastic.

[DeeZee 7,361]

Recruit of the year and probably doesn't need to tackle as much because he either spoils it or gets it himself.

[Bay Riffin 1,472]

1 hour ago, Nasher said:

I don't understand the lack of tackles - he's such a strong competitor in general and very hard to get the footy past; winning tackles seems like the next logical piece.  

He's got 4 tackles in total in 7 games for the MFC.  That's a very low number whichever way you cut it.  Maybe it is a genuine weakness in his game, but so far nobody cares because his contests and use of the footy out of the back line are first rate, and an element we've been absolutely screaming for. I'm sure not complaining at all, just trying to understand.

if he just looked to 'draw' the contests he would tackle more I think, but if his opponent isn't marking it his aim is to beat him and gain possession. We have a beauty here.

[Vogon Poetry 2,095]

1 hour ago, stevethemanjordan said:

 

Haha.

A clearing kick that happened to find a Melbourne jumper?

I guess some might say that's clever.

 

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2017-06-12/rd-12-the-sealer-watts-icecold-sinker

Have a look Steve, he clearly looks up, sees Harmes and kicks very well to him - hard enough to ensure the Coillingwood player can't intercept and into space where Harmes can run on to it.  Harmes kick to Watts is also very good.

But you're nothing if not consistent.

[nutbean 8,838]

He has been great and I love his desperation. Even when he knows he is too far behind to spoil in a marking contest he will still rush up and create pressure. (something both Mac's need to do more).

The tackle count is mystifying to me as well. I shout at players to tackle instead of corralling the opposition  It is my pet hate - I would prefer to be burned on the odd occasion by over-committing rather than corralling the opposition and let them waltz untouched one end of the ground to the other. If you know that a player won't put physical pressure on you already have the players measure. Having said that I can't recall Hibberd doing excessive corralling as opposed to tackling.

[Akum 2,660]

1 hour ago, Nasher said:

To answer my own question a bit, looking at the numbers closely, our defenders are nearly all in the bottom few players for tackles.  Hibberd and the McDonald bros regularly feature at the bottom end of the ladder.  The inside mids (Viney, Oliver etc) sit at the top.  The ladder for 1%ers - of which spoils is a key feature - almost looks like the tackles ladder in reverse, with Hibberd, McDonald bros, Frost and Jetta often featuring at the top.

This is really interesting. I haven't quite connected all the dots yet but I think it has something to do with what's expected of a zone defence. Corralling, intercepting & spoiling & smothering are much more important than tackling, contested marking and kicking long down the line.

Tackling an opponent gives you a ball-up. Corralling them and covering all their teammates means that you force them into attempting a pinpoint disposal by hand or foot, which will most often lead to an intercept and possible scoring opportunity.

Likewise, it used to be that defenders were to stop their immediate opponent from scoring, and if they won the ball, get it to the mids to take it out of defence. Now, the defenders are supposed to run it out with quick breakaways, while the mids are making position in the corridor or running forward to get to the drop of the ball in the f50.

Buckley & Treloar have said repeatedly in interviews since that they knew we were the No. 1 "pressure acts" team in the AFL, as if this was the outstanding thing about our game style, and that they were expecting to have to perform under immense pressure. If they're right, this is no accident, but part of what Goody's trying to achieve. I also think this is the style that Buckley's trying to emulate.

Again, this is not the total thing, but I think the "low-tackles high-1%ers" is a part of this in some way.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

55 minutes ago, Vogon Poetry said:

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2017-06-12/rd-12-the-sealer-watts-icecold-sinker

Have a look Steve, he clearly looks up, sees Harmes and kicks very well to him - hard enough to ensure the Coillingwood player can't intercept and into space where Harmes can run on to it.  Harmes kick to Watts is also very good.

But you're nothing if not consistent.

Upon closer look, you might be right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Might be. 

[beelzebub 23,313]

I think Akums on to something.

[Redleg 40,817]

On 29/05/2017 at 1:52 PM, Fifty-5 said:

He's very, very good at what he does.  But 6 games, 3 tackles total?

Very happy if he spoils like the knock on to Oscar, which went to Harmes which went to Watts which went over the goal umpire's head and continues playing as he has so far for us. Great pick up. 

[What 18,810]

He has to be in the AA team.  Dont give me this Elliott Yeo, Sam Docherty, Jeremy Howe bull [censored].

Hes better than all three of them.

Edited June 14, 2017 by Petraccattack

[Deestroy All 14,262]

As if the mighty Hibberd would waste time with the fashionable "tackling." He's too busy actually playing football. The 4 tackles he has were accidents. 

But seriously, how consistently excellent is this bloke? And I mean excellent. Brilliant recruit. 

Edited June 14, 2017 by Deestroy All