ESSENDON defender Michael Hibberd has been charged with assault following an incident in Mornington.

Hibberd is alleged to have been involved in an altercation with a woman and another man with a man allegedly hit in the face.

The first-year defender, already suspended indefinitely for breaching team rules, was bailed to appear in court in September.

The Bombers released a statement Friday confirming Hibberd's charge.

In a statement on last Wednesday, football manager Paul Hamilton said Hibberd had been suspended "for breaching team protocol by being out late while recovering from a hamstring injury".
 
Hibberd, 21, was available for selection after overcoming a hamstring strain that has sidelined him for three matches, but the suspension rules him ineligible at either AFL or VFL level.