Saw this good article on Hibbo today. You can see the sentiments he expressed in the article in his actions every time he takes the field. 

Really hope he sees out this year in style. 

The stars a Tassie team could target; decision time for Demon; in-demand forward focuses on recovery

He came to us under a cloud and with much supporter reluctance. 

We all make mistakes... ( as opposed to those that conspired ... )

He certainly embraced the new opportunity. 

He has earnt his Trident. 

I wish him well.  Hope he still has a very good season. A stalwart down back. 

Well done 

When he came to us a bomber friend said to me you have picked up a good there. 

One of the true good guys of footy and I'm glad that article praised his game on Monday I thought he was great. 

Noticed in that article Sam Naismith is doing well at Port Melb, wonder if we have any interest in the mid-season draft as ruck cover. I'm sure teams like Collingwood will be front of queue. 

We certainly got a lot more than we expected with Michael Hibberd he has endeared himself with Dee supporters, unassuming even humble but what a great Premiership player he has turned out to be, still can’t get over how good and how tough Hibbo is, would love to see him play his 200th game this year.

He'll be a Melbourne premiership player forever.

Strangely enough, he played his 'best' football for Essendon, but he has played his 'most valuable' football for us.

Could easily have retired at the end of any of the last four seasons and nobody would have thought it was too early.

He's smart, persistent and role-focused. Those things don't decline with age.

 

 

 

  On 28/04/2023 at 00:58, WalkingCivilWar said:

 

 

This is my favourite moment from the grand final celebrations.

Hibbo had lost his brother in 2020, and I lost mine that year too. In that moment I felt like he was celebrating for everyone who didn’t make it. He just took the cup and was off! Makes me laugh, and brings a tear to my eye, every time I see it.

I wonder if he will go on next year. Somehow doubt it.

  On 28/04/2023 at 01:08, The heart beats true said:

This is my favourite moment from the grand final celebrations.

Hibbo had lost his brother in 2020, and I lost mine that year too. In that moment I felt like he was celebrating for everyone who didn’t make it. He just took the cup and was off! Makes me laugh, and brings a tear to my eye, every time I see it.

The spontaneity was the thing I loved about this. You knew you were looking at a man who was charged with emotion, it was almost palpable. THBT, you and I have talked about having lost a brother way too soon, and I too felt that connection at that moment. 💕

As for being funny: how bloody fast did he run?! I reckon he ran faster than most players do during a match, AND while carrying the none too light Premiership Cup! 😁

Related: I absolutely LOVE these threads that randomly pop up where we can laud a particular player, not because he’s playing a milestone game, for example, but simply because we love him. 

  On 28/04/2023 at 00:58, Little Goffy said:

Strangely enough, he played his 'best' football for Essendon, but he has played his 'most valuable' football for us.

Could easily have retired at the end of any of the last four seasons and nobody would have thought it was too early.

He's smart, persistent and role-focused. Those things don't decline with age.

 

Was an all-Australian at the dees.

  On 27/04/2023 at 23:30, old dee said:

When he came to us a bomber friend said to me you have picked up a good there. 

OD I stopped reading this from the point you wrote "bomber friend" 🤪

  On 28/04/2023 at 02:21, Kozzie4PM said:

Was an all-Australian at the dees.

Fair point; Hibberd's 2017 season was a masterclass of the mid-sized defender.

Mind you, even that was only an incremental step up from his time at Essendon where he was an extremely promising young player. 4th in Essendon B&F in 2013 and 2014, and 8th in the 2015 team slump (Year 'off' in 2016, of course). Remarkably only 6th in our B&F in his All-Australian season.

I should refine my point to say that even when the numbers and the fanfare dropped away dramatically after that first spectacular season with us, he continued to be an immense contributor by doing a difficult job extremely well.

I mean, the poor guy has spent years being the go-to match up for Charlie Cameron and I'd argue has done as well as anyone at that. Actually, I looked through some figures and the interesting stat that caught my attention is that CC averages just one mark inside 50 per game against us, and I think that would be substantially the Hibbo effect and the culture of defenders working for each other which Hibberd has so greatly contributed to.

  On 28/04/2023 at 00:58, WalkingCivilWar said:

was ecstatic to get him, as opposed to the milkshake acquisition the year before

both have favourite memories for different reasons - milkshake for the goal vs hawks in the semi and hibbo for THAT run

the way he's playing this year he'll go on next year 

Here's another, longer, puff piece on Hibbo from the same author and publication:

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-chase-for-200-the-premiership-demon-who-s-cherishing-every-moment-20230427-p5d3pq.html

  On 28/04/2023 at 03:00, Little Goffy said:

Fair point; Hibberd's 2017 season was a masterclass of the mid-sized defender.

Mind you, even that was only an incremental step up from his time at Essendon where he was an extremely promising young player. 4th in Essendon B&F in 2013 and 2014, and 8th in the 2015 team slump (Year 'off' in 2016, of course). Remarkably only 6th in our B&F in his All-Australian season.

I should refine my point to say that even when the numbers and the fanfare dropped away dramatically after that first spectacular season with us, he continued to be an immense contributor by doing a difficult job extremely well.

I mean, the poor guy has spent years being the go-to match up for Charlie Cameron and I'd argue has done as well as anyone at that. Actually, I looked through some figures and the interesting stat that caught my attention is that CC averages just one mark inside 50 per game against us, and I think that would be substantially the Hibbo effect and the culture of defenders working for each other which Hibberd has so greatly contributed to.

..and Dusty. 
Believe the media and some other teams referred to it as “Michael Hibberd role” to quell Dusty. 
Similarly Demon supporters never saw much of the “great” Royce Hart. 
We had Gary Hardiman. 

  On 28/04/2023 at 00:58, WalkingCivilWar said:

 

 

Think that's my fav moment from the post flag celebrations...

This nb also...

A true professional in every sense of the word from the time he arrived. 

Even at Casey on occasions his intent, hunt and attack at oppo & the pill is full on.  What a great example for those around him down there.  Coaches must enjoy having him on board.

Very understated fella.  No fuss.  Gotta love Hibbo. 

That photo must be doctored.  It appears to show Charlie Spargo smiling.  

  On 28/04/2023 at 03:00, Little Goffy said:

Fair point; Hibberd's 2017 season was a masterclass of the mid-sized defender.

Mind you, even that was only an incremental step up from his time at Essendon where he was an extremely promising young player. 4th in Essendon B&F in 2013 and 2014, and 8th in the 2015 team slump (Year 'off' in 2016, of course). Remarkably only 6th in our B&F in his All-Australian season.

I should refine my point to say that even when the numbers and the fanfare dropped away dramatically after that first spectacular season with us, he continued to be an immense contributor by doing a difficult job extremely well.

I mean, the poor guy has spent years being the go-to match up for Charlie Cameron and I'd argue has done as well as anyone at that. Actually, I looked through some figures and the interesting stat that caught my attention is that CC averages just one mark inside 50 per game against us, and I think that would be substantially the Hibbo effect and the culture of defenders working for each other which Hibberd has so greatly contributed to.

Also had a very good GF. 

He's probably still the best lock down defender of small/medium forwards in the game.

Must be hard to get a kick on him....

Edited April 28, 20231 yr by rjay

  On 28/04/2023 at 03:57, Demonstone said:

That photo must be doctored.  It appears to show Charlie Spargo smiling.  

Indeed...was he just messing with us?

  On 28/04/2023 at 03:37, whatwhat say what said:

was ecstatic to get him, as opposed to the milkshake acquisition the year before

both have favourite memories for different reasons - milkshake for the goal vs hawks in the semi and hibbo for THAT run

the way he's playing this year he'll go on next year 

Also for our win in round 22 vs Carlton last year when we needed two goals with about a minute remaining. Melksy kicked one and was instrumental in the other. That’s also the match where he and Maysie hugged it out in the rooms before singing the song. 

  On 28/04/2023 at 02:34, chookrat said:

OD I stopped reading this from the point you wrote "bomber friend" 🤪

Sadly not all friends can be as intelligent as you and I chook! 

  On 28/04/2023 at 03:57, Demonstone said:

That photo must be doctored.  It appears to show Charlie Spargo smiling.  

I told you before, Charlie doesn't waste his smiles. Saves it only for special occasions.

He also smiled at the final siren. I rewound the tape to confirm.