Profile:
Position: Midfielder
Club: Clarence (Tasmania)
Height: 190cm
Weight: 85kg
DOB: 23/9/96
Stats:
NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
Games: 3
Avg. disposals: 24
Avg. marks: 6
AFL.com.au said:
After 18 months out with injury, Mitchell Hibberd returned to football earlier this year, gathered 29 disposals and immediately got recruiters talking.
Hibberd was eligible for last year's NAB AFL Draft, but was overlooked as he battled fitness problems. At the end of 2013 the Tasmanian prospect had a knee reconstruction and just as he was returning to action he required a shoulder reconstruction.
It meant he had a later start to his campaign this season, but Hibberd is a good example of the AFL's 19-year-old rule working well. After injury ruled him out of the 2014 draft, he was able to take part in Tasmania's under-18 program this season.
He performed well in the championships and in the TAC Cup, and won selection for the Allies in the All Stars curtain-raiser clash at the MCG on Grand Final day.
Last month's draft combine at Etihad Stadium proved Hibberd to be one of the best all-round prospects in this year's crop. He came second overall in the beep test (reaching level 15.4) and third in the 3km time trial (10:02 minutes), but also ran 3.01s in the 20-metre sprint.
At 190cm he presents as a new type of midfielder who is versatile and strong above his head. His marking for the Allies was exceptional, and he likes to go for his grabs. The best part about Hibberd's make-up is his run and carry out of defence and ability to link-up through the ground.
He arches his back when in space and can kick long, becoming the type of player who hurts a team when he gets a disposal and breaks through the lines. With a professional attitude already, Hibberd has shown he can overcome setbacks to show his wares.
Fox Footy said:
One of the older players hoping to be drafted this year, 19-year-old Mitchell Hibberd is Tasmania’s best prospect in the current crop. At 191cm, Hibberd is a half-back that can play tall or small and is just as able to move into the midfield. He has battled knee and shoulder injuries throughout the year, but averaged 24 disposals in both the TAC Cup and the national championships. Hibberd is a good endurance player and was in the top three at the combine for both the beep test and the 3km time trial.
Tasmania high performance manager Mathew Armstrong said:
“Mitch is a 190cm athletic midfielder who can also play at either end of the ground. He did his knee last year and missed the draft and also had a shoulder reco over summer, but his championships were good and the knee is 100%. He is just a lovely size, takes a good mark and kicks the ball well. He's a quiet spoken kid but his drive to compete is very strong." - SEN
North Recruiting Manager Bryce Lewis said:
"Hibberd was coming off some injuries but he's shown that he's an exceptional aerobic athlete. He can play wing or in that seventh defender role and is noted for his marking."
