MELBOURNE coach Simon Goodwin says Michael Hibberd is battling a range of emotions, following the disappearance of his brother late last week.

Geoff Hibberd, the older brother of the Demon defender, is one of two men missing after leaving Flinders for a fishing trip on Sunday morning.

“It’s a really tragic situation for Michael and his family – they’re clearly doing it really tough at the moment,” Goodwin said in a press conference on Thursday.

“I’m in contact with Michael numerous times every day. He’s holding up okay – he’s clearly got a lot of mixed emotions and he’s just coming to terms with the whole situation.

“The club has put a great support network around him. We’re working really closely with the family and the players have certainly rallied behind him with messages.”

With COVID-19 restrictions limiting physical contact, Goodwin and the playing group have not been able to visit Hibberd to offer their support.

While that aspect has been challenging, Goodwin said they are doing all that they can to care for Hibberd and his family during this devastating time.

“You just want to go and see him and give him a hug,” he said.

“That’s one thing that you do miss at the moment – that social interaction and connection with people.

“You just want to be there for him. We can’t [physically be there] at the moment, but I can call him, I can contact him, I can show care in other ways and that’s what I’m doing.”