AFL 2022: Melbourne re-signs Michael Hibberd, plus Jake Melksham after his mid-season punch-up with Steven May

Getting in a mid-season fight with a teammate didn’t stop Melbourne from re-signing one veteran goalkicker.

Michael Hibberd played in the Demons’ drought-busting premiership in 2021 and remains a first-choice defensive option. Picture: Getty Images

Michael Hibberd and Jake Melksham will be part of Melbourne’s bid for redemption next year after inking respective one-year extensions.

The veteran pair crossed to the Demons from Essendon in exchange for second-round picks, with Hibberd doing so in 2015 and Melksham the next season.

But the 2023 campaign will be both footballers’ seventh at Melbourne after Hibberd sat out the year following his trade because of the Bombers’ supplements ban.

After a 10-0 start to the club’s premiership defence, the Dees lost eight of their last 14 matches, including both finals, so will be keen to bounce back.

Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb said the new contracts were due reward for Hibberd’s and Melksham’s ongoing contributions.

Jake Melksham has a close bond with Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin, going back to their Essendon days. Picture: Getty Images

“They have both had significant impact since arriving at the club and continue to push themselves to be the best players and teammates they can be,” Lamb said.

“Michael and Jake played important roles for us last season and are as hungry as ever to be part of our journey moving forward.

“We look forward to what they can bring over the coming season.”

It was an eventful year for Melksham, who required two hand surgeries after punching drunken teammate Steven May in June following a verbal altercation that started in Prahran restaurant Entrecote before spilling outside.

May received a club-imposed one-match ban for drinking alcohol while in concussion protocols but Melksham avoided suspension.

Jake Melksham (left) and Steven May were friends again after round 22. Picture: AFL Photos

News Corp revealed in the aftermath that May told Melksham the Demons would have lost last year’s grand final if the forward had played.

Melksham went on to play his 200th career game in round 11 but wasn’t sighted at senior level for another seven weeks, only to appear in the final eight games of the year in a smaller Melbourne forward line.

The 31-year-old kicked 12 goals in 11 matches overall, including four in a match-winning performance against Carlton.

Hibberd, who turns 33 in January, earned All-Australian selection in his first season in red and blue in 2017 and also played in the Demons’ drought-busting premiership last year.

A nagging calf injury sidelined the defender for the first half of the 2022 season but he returned in round 13 and played every match thereafter, averaging 14 disposals and six intercept possessions.