Weve got a special bond Hibberd playing for the Essendon 34 - and his brother

In the expected event that he holds his place in the Demons side, Michael Hibberd says he will be representing a host of former teammates, none of whom have played in an AFL grand final: the Essendon 34.

And should Melbourne win the grand final, Hibberd says he will dedicate his premiership medal to another party, even closer to his heart: his late brother Geoff, who went missing at sea in April last year and never returned.

Hibberd, who was brought in to the preliminary final 22 against Geelong after missing the qualifying final victory over Brisbane, said he did not take his selection for granted - would not “take that for granted” - having replaced Joel Smith after his teammate hurt his hamstring at training.

Jobe Watson and some of the members of the Essendon 34 at the heart of the scandal.Credit:Getty Images

But he grabbed his chance, performed well on Jeremy Cameron and Gary Rohan and appears set to retain his position. “Timing is everything,” he told The Age.

Assuming he plays, Hibberd is the first of the Essendon 34 - those suspended for the 2016 season by the Court of Arbitration for Sport - to make a grand final, with few remaining on AFL lists.

“Now I’m in a position that I guess all 34 of those guys wished they were in,” Hibberd said. “I’m very lucky and privileged to be in this situation. I’m going to make the most of it.

“I guess I represent those guys. I do. I feel like I represent all those guys over all the years. We’ve got a special bond, whether we contact each other frequently or not, I think it’s a bond I’ll have with those guys forever.”

Hibberd said he remained close to ex-team mates Michael Hurley, Tom Bellchambers, Cale Hooker, Jobe Watson and Angus Monfries - only Hurley remains at the Bombers and in the AFL.

“I do speak to those guys a lot. They’re rooting for me. Hopefully I can do those boys proud and get the job done next week.”

If the CAS suspension and the Essendon saga was a difficult part of Hibberd’s storied “journey” as he puts it, even more emotional has been the passing of his brother Geoff, who left Flinders pier in a small boat in April of last year with a friend and was never found.

“If there’s a medal around my neck at the end of the day, it’ll be dedicated to him,” Hibberd said of Geoff Hibberd, who inspired him to be an AFL footballer and whom he thinks about daily.

Hibberd also still feels his brother’s presence in the turn of events. “The way I got in (to the side) last week, is a bit of Geoff in it.

“People who have lost someone really close to them, you do sense that they’re there.

“I felt the fact that I’ve - the timing of me getting into the team, it’s like he had a part of that. That’s the way I look at it and definitely on the day I’ll be thinking of him and representing my family.

Michael Hibberd with his brother Geoffrey.Credit:Facebook

“I definitely think about him when I’m playing and I think when I’m out there I know he’s watching.”

Hibberd said last year was tough being away from family while grieving for his brother. “To grieve and play footy at the same time.” Hibberd’s family, who live primarily on the Mornington Peninsula, but the COVID-19 rules have made it problematic to see each other.

“The rules have kind of gone against us.”

Of the Essendon 34, the one whom Hibberd has a particular feeling for is his fellow Demon Jake Melksham, who like Hibberd a few weeks ago, has found himself just out of the team, despite a strong second AFL career at a now powerful Melbourne.

“I had a bit of a moment with Jake right after the prelim. Jake, in my opinion, is right on the cusp. He’s nearly first in I think if something happens, and he’s been in great form at training ... you don’t want anything to happen, but you want to play with your best mates and he’s obviously my best mate and I would love nothing more than to share a grand final day with him.

“When we won on the weekend, I shared a hug with him and nearly got a little bit emotional - all the stuff we’ve been through and we’ve been close friends for so many years.

“I’m an emotional guy and gave him a hug and nearly shed a tear .... he was just supportive and wishing and just happy for all the players ... he’d want to be part of it and feel like you know he’s missing out if he doesn’t play - as that’s natural for a lot of the guys who want to be part of this. But unfortunately there’s only 22-23 players ... there’s some tough stories.”

Hibberd doesn’t take his selection for granted, having come in after Smith’s injury. At 31, he says he is living in the moment, rather than contemplating if this will be his only chance.

“Unfortunately for Joel Smith, last week he did his hammy at training,” he said.

“I felt I was pushing pretty hard and banging down the door to get back in, even though there was no VFL, or match simulation, so I thought I was in a good position to play maybe anyway ... I got my opportunity to play in a prelim and potentially in a grand final next week.

“In the prelim, we all performed quite well. Obviously you won’t want to take that for granted and count your chickens before they hatch. But I’ll train hard for the next week and a half and, yeah, hoping I get the opportunity to live a lifelong dream.

“You don’t really think like that when you’re in the moment. You’re trying to just live each moment as it comes - you know right now this is my 11th or 12th year, and it’s my first grand final.”

Jake Niall is a Walkley award-winning sports journalist and chief AFL writer for The Age.Connect via Twitter or email.

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