Michael Hibberd officially requests trade to Melbourne for 2017 season

MELBOURNE should secure defender Michael Hibberd for a second-round pick after paying “overs” for Jake Melksham last year, according to their manager.

Michael Hibberd has requested a trade to Melbourne. Picture: Hamish Blair

MELBOURNE should secure defender Michael Hibberd for a second-round pick after paying “overs” for Jake Melksham last year, according to their manager, Paul Connors.

The banned Bombers look set to be reunited at Melbourne for the start of pre-season with Hibberd on Tuesday officially nominating the Demons as his preferred new home.

Connors suggested Melbourne paid a high price for Melksham last year – pick No. 25 – and that Melbourne’s second round pick in this year’s draft – currently No. 26 – should be sufficient compensation for Essendon.

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The agent said Hibberd’s case was “different circumstances” from Melksham, who didn’t play a game for Melbourne in 2016 because of Essendon’s drugs ban.

“You can’t just say Jake did this and then the next (deal) is there,” Connors said.

“I could argue they (Demons) paid overs for Jake because there’s a relationship between both Melbourne and Essendon.

“So, I think the deal will be done and it will be done in good faith.”

Michael Hibberd says it was a tough decision to leave Essendon. Picture: Hamish Blair

The backman’s aggressive running off half-back is set to become a key cog in Simon Goodwin’s re-shaped game plan next season as the Demons’ attempt to break their 11-year finals drought.

Hibberd, 26, has already “had a beer” with his prospective Melbourne teammates including Jack Watts after settling on his tough decision to leave the Bombers on an overseas holiday with his girlfriend.

“It was an extremely hard decision. One of the hardest I’ve ever had to make to actually tell my teammates and know that I am leaving was hard,” he said.

“But in terms of rejuvenating my football, I thought a fresh start was best.

“I’m good mates with Melksham and a few of the other guys from Melbourne (who) I was speaking to over the past few months and years prior.

“We had a beer a few weeks ago and just to get to know the guys a bit better.”

Jake Melksham looks set to be re-united with Michael Hibberd at Melbourne. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The Herald Sun revealed Essendon had formally asked the AFL to host Melbourne under lights on Friday night in Round 1 next year as part of its annual fixture request.

“If it happens it would be nice to be out with all the guys who have missed a year,” Hibberd said.

“Whether we’re on the same team on not it’d be nice to be together.”

Hibberd said he changed his mind whether to leave Essendon or not on a trip with his Bombers’ teammates this year.

“I was with the boys for three weeks and my mind chopped and changed a lot. When I was with the guys it definitely swayed towards staying, because I loved all the guys and definitely didn’t want to leave them and wanted to keep playing footy with them,” he said.

“After a few weeks of getting away I was with my girlfriend for three weeks afterwards and it swayed back to maybe a fresh start being good, and to part ways.

“The fact that it changed back that way pretty quickly I thought in a few months’ time it is probably going to change even more. That was the decision I came to.”