MELBOURNE defender Michael Hibberd has been ruled out of Thursday night's final JLT Community Series clash with West Coast due to Achilles soreness. 

In a blow to the former Bomber's round one preparations, Hibberd has been forced to sit out the trip west after picking up the injury at training last week. 

"He pulled up a little bit sore after Friday's session," elite performance manager Dave Misson told melbournefc.com.au.

"It got stomped on during the session and it's still a bit sore today (Monday), so we're getting a bit more information.

"It's really going to be a management thing, so we're not going to play him this week and we'll look to build him up again for round one."

Hibberd made his long-awaited return to football from an anti-doping suspension in the Dees' thumping 54-point win over Carlton nine days ago, collecting 13 touches in his first game since 2015. 

Misson said the Demons were treating the 27-year-old rebounding backman cautiously after his long stint on the sidelines.

"We're conscious that he's had 12 months out of the game," he said.

"He's only had one game since coming back and we want to make sure that he's cherry ripe before going back out there."

After rounding out their pre-season preparations against the Eagles at Domain Stadium, the Demons will face an improving St Kilda outfit in round one on March 25 at Etihad Stadium.