Former AFL player Mitch Hibberd to star on Love Island Australia

A former AFL player who has never had a girlfriend has turned to reality TV to find the love of his life.

Mitch Hibberd is joining Love Island.

Former AFL player Mitch Hibberd is looking for his first serious relationship on Love Island.

Hibberd played a total of nine games for North Melbourne and Essendon before injury cut his career short. He was delisted by the Bombers at the end of the 2020 season.

“I’ve never actually had a girlfriend,’’ Hibberd, 25, said.

“I’ve always said I would never jump into anything because I had to be 100 per cent certain. I will probably have one girlfriend my whole life and that will be someone I will marry and have kids with.”

Hibberd, born and raised in Tasmania, enters the Byron Bay villa on Wednesday night. He said he wanted to get out of his comfort zone in Melbourne.

“I go to the same bars all the time and see all the same people, and I haven’t met that special

person yet,’’ he said.

Hibberd played a total of nine games for North Melbourne and Essendon.

“I felt like it was a good option to do something different and hopefully find the

right person.

“It’s tough being in a boys’ club footy environment, then opening up and being vulnerable and

putting yourself out there. I think the boys at home will be giving me a bit of stick, but it’s

something I want to do because I don’t want to be single forever.

“You have to put yourself out there and learn to put your emotions on the line and be vulnerable. That’s something I’m not very good at, being around footy clubs all my life.”

Hibberd, who endured nine major surgeries, wants to be known as more than just ‘Mitch the footballer’.

Love Island airs Monday-Thursday on Channel 9.

Originally published as Former AFL player Mitch Hibberd to star on Love Island Australia