Premiership Demon Michael Hibberd has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal, ensures all 23 members of Melbourne’s 2021 Premiership side are locked in for the 2022 AFL season.
Hibberd played 17 matches for the Demons in 2021 and was a key contributor in the club’s drought-breaking Grand Final win.
Melbourne List Manager Tim Lamb said he was pleased to see Hibberd extend his time at the club.
“We are rapt that Michael will be going around again next year,” Lamb told Melbourne Media.
“After missing a large portion of the last pre-season with injury, Michael fought his way back into the AFL side and played a critical role in our premiership success.
“We are confident that with a full pre-season under his belt, he will have a really strong 2022 season.”
Following the conclusion of the trade period, Melbourne has also made the difficult decision to delist Marty Hore and Kye Declase.
List Manager Tim Lamb acknowledged both players for their service to the club.
“We thank both Marty and Kye for their dedication and commitment to the club,” Lamb told Melbourne Media.
“This is always a difficult time for everyone involved and we would like to wish both players all the best for their future endeavours.”
Hore, who has had an injury riddled two years, ruptured his left anterior cruciate ligament in January during the pre-season and was ruled out for the year.
The defender played 14 AFL matches for the red and blue, after joining the club a mature aged recruit via the 2018 NAB AFL Draft.
Declase joined the club as a rookie midway through 2021 via the Mid-Season Draft, having been recruited from Werribee’s VFL side.