EVERY piece counts when you're building an AFL finals contender, and for Melbourne, Michael Hibberd might just be their most valuable addition.
The 27-year-old has flourished since joining the Demons in a trade from Essendon, where he was one of 34 past and present players to serve a doping ban last season.
Much has been made of the renewed attacking flair Melbourne have found under new coach Simon Goodwin but the Dees have also held up on the defensive end, helped by Hibberd's rock-solid contested efforts.
The half-back flanker's value was exemplified by his desperate spoil on Adam Treloar during Melbourne's nailbiting Queen's Birthday win over Collingwood.
With less than two minutes left and the Magpies within a goal, Hibberd read the play to perfection, launching himself to the ball to prevent Treloar from marking and lining up for goal in the forward pocket.
His effort allowed James Harmes to drive the ball forward to Jack Watts, who booted the match-winning goal to propel Melbourne into the top eight.
Fellow defender Jayden Hunt said it was typical of Hibberd's fearless approach to the game.
"If there's a contest, he absolutely throws his whole body at it," Hunt said.
"There's a couple of spoils he shouldn't have got to. He's just such a competitor - he never wants to lose."
Former Essendon teammate Jake Melksham also made a big contribution with his tagging role on Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury.
The Magpies skipper still managed to win 22 disposals but was unable to make his usual impact around the contests.
Demons co-captain Nathan Jones said the addition of Hibberd, Melksham and former Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis had been important for a side lacking age and experience across the ground.
"Particularly for our backline, which is a little bit inexperienced and quite young, having Hibbo down there and Melky down there at times provides a cool and calm head in pressure situations," Jones said.
"Lewie's the same in the midfield.
"I think the addition of those guys with their experience has been really important for our group, and they're becoming integral parts of our team."
