Michael Hibberd on injury struggles, King’s Birthday and Melbourne’s premiership mission

Michael Hibberd jokes about his ‘big hips and arse’ but that didn’t help when another injury struck that threatened to end his career.

Michael Hibberd of the Demons.

Michael Hibberd laughs about his lower body.

The veteran Melbourne defender, who can strike fear in the heart of the game’s young gun small forwards, thought his career might be all over midway through last year as he struggled with a calf problem.

The hard nut has always been powerful through his hips and core, driving through opposition tacklers.

But a recurring calf problem threatened to end things as Melbourne rattled off 10 straight wins without him.

“I’m pretty big around the hips and the arse, but my calves were pretty much non-existent,” Hibberd said.

“There was not a lot a lot of calf strength there, to be honest.

“I’d had about five calves (injuries) up until round 10 and you know what they say about the calves – it’s an old man’s injury

“So, midway through last year I would be lying if I said I wasn’t considering it (retiring) and I’m sure the club was as well.

“But in the end it was something I really wanted to get right, because I thought we were a very good team last year and I just wanted to make sure I was part of it.

“So the club changed my program and I just had to get in there and load up the weights and pump them up to make them (calves) stronger.

“But it’s tedious. They’re not beach weights. No one looks at your calves. It’s not like biceps.”

Michael Hibberd savours Melbourne’s 2021 premiership. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

While Melbourne eventually hit the skids last year, bowing out of the finals in straight sets, their mission to avenge the sudden exit ramps up in the King’s Birthday clash against Collingwood at a packed-out MCG.

It is an occasion where Melbourne can potentially take Collingwood’s mantle as the best team in the competition, if not for Port Adelaide.

And down the other end of the ground will stand Collingwood hard man Brayden Maynard, who shows plenty of the toughness and selflessness which has also embodied Hibberd’s career at Melbourne and Essendon.

And Hibberd, 33, is in top form, earning the third-most coaches votes against the Tigers, helping shut down Richmond’s small forward fleet on Anzac Day eve.

“I can play on anyone in my mind, and sometimes these guys can get the better of you,” he said.

“But obviously it gets trickier and the guys I come up against are quicker, fitter.

“I have to use a bit of my experience and nous to be able to play on them, but I’m really enjoying it.

“I’m loving my footy, I always have. I’m loving this year.”

And Monday is as big as it gets in the regular season, Hibberd said, largely for the respect everyone has for Former Demon and Bombers’ great, Neale Daniher, and his Freeze MND cause.

Michael Hibberd has won back his spot in the Demons’ best 22. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Hibberd listened to Daniher speak to players and staff again this week, and got the goosebumps which are a signature of Daniher’s talks.

It was about making the most of each moment, gratitude, relishing the opportunities in life. Looking forward.

And Hibberd’s 192-game career hasn’t been without bumps, including the Essendon supplement saga and year-long suspension.

The All-Australian sought a fresh start under Simon Goodwin, who he has been close with his whole career, and won a premiership in 2021.

But Hibberd said Daniher’s perspective always strikes a chord in the lead-up to King’s Birthday.

“It does put perspective on things. Everything that he goes through,” he said.

“I am at peace with all of the Essendon stuff, I’ve been at Melbourne for a long time now and all that is a lifetime ago.

“Footy is a special game and it means a lot to me, and my family.

“We are lucky to be able to run out each week and this game, the Anzac Day eve game and Anzac Day, it is pretty hard to split all of them.

“They are all really special games. They’re ones you start thinking about it a week or two out.

“The crowd that is going to be there and the MND cause, Neale, his family, and everything he has done, it just adds so much weight to the day.

“Some games you roll up during the year and you think it is another week or footy, but this is not one.

“If someone ever says this is just another game, they are kidding themselves.”

Hibberd said the Demons have the ability to run as deep as they want this year if they can capitalise on their collective powers. It has been a bit hit and miss so far this season.

But Hibberd has a huge amount of faith.

“Our team is stacked,” he said.

“We know if we click I think we can be the best team in the comp. We are not quite there yet, but I feel like we are very close and we have got Collingwood, who are probably the best team in the comp.

“We are ready to go at them.”