Demons v Magpies: Sound body and clear mind prime Hibberd

Demons defender Michael Hibberd has every reason to be enjoying his football.

Melbourne’s Michael Hibberd training at Gosch’s Paddock in preparation for the Queen’s Birthday clash against Collingwood. Picture: Michael Klein

Michael Hibberd has this year not quite reached the dashing heights of his career-best season in 2017, but the Demon is content for many reasons.

The outstanding form of Melbourne, who tackle Collingwood in the Queen’s Birthday clash at the MCG today, is one factor.

Another is just how good his body is feeling. Touch wood, of course, for Hibberd has endured more than his fair share of angst in his career.

But the fact he no longer has a hint of concern in the back of his mind about what may happen when he reaches top speed is ­immensely satisfying.

“I definitely feel more confident in my body this year. Just not thinking ‘Am I going to do a hamstring?’, which had been in the back of mind, is great,” Hibberd said. “I feel as though I am in a good position to keep performing and finish off the year, hopefully, injury free.”

This augurs well for his bid for both team and individual success. The 28-year-old may be content with his body and the Demons’ form, but he also believes he can continue to improve.

It has always been a part of his make-up but the season spent on the sidelines in 2016 as a member of the 34 past and present Essendon players who were suspended has sharpened that edge.

“I guess, for me, I put pretty high expectations on myself all the time. Ask my partner. It is hard for me to ease up and be satisfied,” he told The Australian.

The defender said he had a ­degree of uncertainty approaching last year “not knowing whether I would be fit enough, strong enough or still have the knack” to compete at the elite level.

A year training predominantly with good mate Michael Hurley through their supplements-related suspension instead allowed him to find his best football after he had overcome some early ­issues with his achilles and also knee tendinitis.

When named an All Australian for the first time, the Mornington Peninsula-raised Hibberd said the doubts he had on returning to football made the honour even more treasured.

“When I found out about the All Australian, it was a thrill and I was pinching myself as to how far I had come,” he said. “To miss a year, I put high expectations on myself, but to really not know how I was going to come back, I was ­extremely proud to do that.

“I never represented my state as a junior, let alone my country. I would not like to think I can’t get much better. I think I have another level to get to there. It is great to be known as an All Australian, but now I want the next one, the next jacket, and I want a flag, a premiership medal around my neck. You try to be the best that you can be.”

On a statistical basis, Hibberd’s output has dropped from last season. He is averaging seven disposals fewer per game and also one less mark, although he is laying more tackles than ever.

But that is not to downplay his contribution. By virtue of ­increased depth at the Demons, Hibberd’s role has adjusted.

The recruitment of Jake Lever, combined with the roles Neville Jetta and Jordan Lewis are playing, has pushed him deeper into defence. His strength and size allows him to play on bigger forwards than some of his teammates.

“Especially with Lewis and Jetts, they are probably more suited to playing up higher in defence and I am more suited to playing on stronger guys, but I can also use the ball, so I try to bring that as much as I can,” he said.

“I just try to play the role wherever I can, whether it is on the first or second or third forward, ­because we have so many guys capable of playing that more ­attacking role.”

The loss of Lever to a season-ending knee injury a week ago will cause a reshuffle of sorts.

While much has been said about Melbourne’s potency given their goalkicking rampages in ­recent weeks, their defence is ­performing brilliantly as well.

The Demons are conceding 77 points per match this year, a dip of almost two goals on last season.

“I think the more you play ­together as a back combination, the more continuity you get, the more you understand each other and gel together,” he said. “But it is more than just the defence. Our midfield is putting a lot of pressure on as well. For us, it makes our job a little bit easier.”

The Demons will jump to a lofty second on the ladder should they beat Collingwood, who trail them by just the solitary win at the halfway point of the season, in a game expected to attract at least 80,000 fans. A pre-game fundraiser for the fight to find a cure for motor neurone disease, championed by Neale Daniher, will see all 18 league coaches slide into freezing water before to the match.