Traded #17: Jake Melksham - Traded to Melbourne for pick 25

[ant555]

What really surprised me on that u18s GF footage of melksham from a few pages back was his hunting the ball, sideways movement, and willingness to try and break away from congestion.

For his last 110 games he's grabbed the ball in traffic and been a stunned mullet.

One thing he has always had is a great leg, but I don't think his decision making is up to scratch to make it a real weapon. He had more time to use his leg in the u18s but gets caught out by the lack of time to make a decision at AFL level.

Problem with the vision is it highlights.
I still have a copy of that GF and he looked like a star in the first 15 minutes until they stopped letting him run free in the middle and from there
he was average. Could not a way to combat a player sticking closer to him.

 

[Kong]

It'll be good riddance to one of the laziest Essendon players I've seen in 20-odd years.

Such a waste of talent.

 

[hurlygurdy]

It'll be good riddance to one of the laziest Essendon players I've seen in 20-odd years.

Such a waste of talent.

Lazy? Really? I'll call him almost anything under the sun, but I've never thought he was lazy. Clueless. Slow. Confused. So many words.
Btw from under what rock did you crawl back out of?

 

[Doss]

Nah I agree with the ol' Whombsicle.

He is talented. But he just does not work hard enough; never has.

 

[ManWithNoName]

It'll be good riddance to one of the laziest Essendon players I've seen in 20-odd years.

Such a waste of talent.

Damien Cupido

 

[eth-dog]

Damien Cupido

Jarrod Atkinson

Oh wait, you meant talented players...

 

[blitzer]

Its an interesting one because his best is pretty good but he plays too many mediocre games where he has limited impact. Also he seems to need the right conditions to play his best. eg under Bomber he was god-awful and has been strongly intimated that they didn't have a great relationship. Played better under Hird but still pretty up and down.

I wish him the best though. I used to enjoy his attitude out there where he wouldn't take a backward step. No matter what you say about him he definitely has courage and some backbone.

 

[ezard15]

True, but he does that one or two things every now and then that make you wonder. Like making par/birdie on the last in a shitty round of golf, keep you coming back.

he really is the birdie at round 18 after a shitty day. perfect way to describe him

 

[Knight Ryders]

Not as bad as people make out, I think we expect everyone to be a Zerrett/Heppell.

He'd be what I call a "nice" AFL player, e.g. 16-22 player.

 

[vast]

Melksham talented? what am I.......ah I see what is going on here.

I hope the trade is done right away just take whatever they offer I dont want him back at essendon somehow.

 

[Vindicater]

Not as bad as people make out, I think we expect everyone to be a Zerrett/Heppell.

He'd be what I call a "nice" AFL player, e.g. 16-22 player.

I see him just below this. I would call him a "depth" AFL player, eg. 23-28 player.

 

[Lord Nicholson]

Sorry this isn't more obscure...

 

[Paul_Barnard]

Wouldn't be surprised if he kicks on at the Dee's and becomes a more consistent player.... Good luck..

 

[Beerfish]

All the best. Thanks for that game against Geelong.

 

[bombadeer]

Wouldn't be surprised if he kicks on at the Dee's and becomes a more consistent player.... Good luck..

Consistency has never been a problem for Jake. He's been ordinary, very consistently, for roughly 100 of 100-odd games.

 

[Doss]

Consistency has never been a problem for Jake. He's been ordinary, very consistently, for roughly 100 of 100-odd games.

You don't need to exaggerate it to underline that overall, he's been underwhelming.

He had a very good 2013 season. He's had the odd very good game outside of that too, like Geelong 2011.

Anyhow, best of luck, Jake.

 

[Lord Nicholson]

Consistency has never been a problem for Jake. He's been ordinary, very consistently, for roughly 100 of 100-odd games.

The old man describes it thus: He's a hundred-gamer who plays every game like it's his 5th.

 

[revival_mode]

The most frustrating player on our list. Not sad he's going but will still watch closely & hope he puts it together

 

[Rack Watts]

Thanks for your service Jake, enjoy the good contract, and cash for your new family.

 

[loopy_cam]

I like Melksham. I would rather he had stayed.

 

[HepHooksHurls]

cheers for kicking the winner against carlton that time

 

[Runk]

You don't need to exaggerate it to underline that overall, he's been underwhelming.

He had a very good 2013 season. He's had the odd very good game outside of that too, like Geelong 2011.

Anyhow, best of luck, Jake.

Yeah it was fantastic that year. Truly. That's why I and many others simply cannot believe how far below his best he's been playing these past two seasons.

 

[Halorad]

I like Melksham. I would rather he had stayed.

Not sure if serious.

 

[Paul_Barnard]

Consistency has never been a problem for Jake. He's been ordinary, very consistently, for roughly 100 of 100-odd games.

I was referring to his peak form in the back end of 2013 which he never consistently met post 2013.

 

[BrunoV]

He's not as bad as is being made out.

His biggest problem in our team is a lack of a meaningful role. If we weren't as slow as we are I'd be more inclined to play him as a midfielder or on a wing. We have better options to develop on flanks. The role he seems to do consistently well is Hocking's and the rest of his game does not command a spot in a best 22.

Surprised that Melbourne will give up 25. Given our need to regenerate the list we'll take 25 for Melksham and run.