WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB – JAKE MELKSHAM

[John Crow Batty 8,255]

I'm glad to see him come over even for pick 25. I hear he is a pretty good boxer also.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,154]

Welcome to the MFC. He's one of us now and I will back him in.

Bring on 2016!

[Deetective Sgt. Taggert 380]

The reality is we need to get competitive and competitive fast, which means bringing in established players at the expense of speculative draftees. If he is at least competitive from the get go and give us a little speed and class and holds down a spot for 1-2 years, then its the right move as far as I am concerned. But yeah, I too hated him at Essendon...but I will welcome him now!

Edited October 15, 2015 by Ascobar

[TGR 1,367]

At least Roosy/Goody get another maniac on the field in the Red and Blue.

[John Demonic 4,800]

At least Roosy/Goody get another maniac on the field in the Red and Blue.

Viney won't be lonely in the maniaclub anymore.

[Watts Jurrah Dunn? 735]

It's been said before, but I'll say it again. These guys are two totally different players.

Suckling looks excellent in a great side. He needs other players to find the footy for him, and while his disposal is elite there is a reason the Hawks shifted him to the forward line and he found it hard to find a settled spot in the side. He is a player who would struggle with us and look like a bust. He needs good players around him.

Melksham has certainly been down on form for the past two years and supporters are right in being a little wary of him. But he can find his own footy, knows how to shut down a man and he can lay plenty of tackles.

So while Melksham isn't an Earth shattering recruitment he fills a need far better than Suckling would.

Melksham fills a half back flank, where he has never played, better than Suckling would?

Suckling is a dual premiership player and the best kick in the AFL. I'd pay him $400k just to take the kickouts.

Melksham and Suckling would both struggle in our ordinary side, but one wouldn't have cost you pick 25.

[rpfc 27,453]

I am going to kill myself

this is the worse thing ever

Wow.

Lifeline 13 11 14.

Killing yourself because Jake Melksham plays for your team won't get you anywhere in life.

[daisycutter 28,517]

i just ordered a new bucket (king size)

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,397]

I am going to kill myself

this is the worse thing ever

Personally, I think your lack of punctuation and incorrect spelling is worse. But that's just me.

[GawnWithTheWind 604]

I for one, welcome the milkshake. Let's hope he adds some mongrel and aggression to the half back line.

[ManDee 7,077]

I am going to kill myself

this is the worse thing ever

Hopefully you are taking the pizz if not Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or PM me.

[Chook in Perth 2,012]

I am going to kill myself

this is the worse thing ever

Come home to Twitter mate. We miss you. luv #Dadbros

[Nascent 7,244]

I may be mistaken but I believe there has been a history of draft picks given near the end of a trade period to even out earlier deals. Perhaps we may yet see a third or fourth rounder from essendon after they've finalised their other deals? Or not...

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Prove me wrong, Jake.

[M_9 1,646]

"...

Killing yourself ... won't get you anywhere in life."

sage advice

[dazzledavey36 48,746]

Agree please prove me wrong. He is a Melbourne player now so he has my full support. I must admit i actually feel sorry for him. Cops a fair wack from bummers supporters on twitter and instagram then i head to our MFC twitter feed and he is still cops a wack from our own dkhead supporters soon as he gets to a new club.

Seriously what do idiots get out of abusing players on social media these days.

Pull your heads in.

Edited October 15, 2015 by dazzledavey36

[Deeoldfart 7,721]

I'm a underwhelmed by Jake's more recent form, and very concerned by the 'sword of WADA' hanging over his head. None-the-less, I have confidence in Roos and the rest of the Football Dept. to make the right call. Where does that leave me on this issue? Buggered if I know what to make of it!

Edited October 15, 2015 by Deeoldfart

[Radar Detector 1,339]

I have come around to the view that Melksham might be a reasonable acquisition. That said, on the available evidence, I still think we have overpaid for an out of form, dime a dozen midfielder with a potential WADA issue who wanted out of a basket case club. Particularly in the context of what other clubs are doing.

Edited October 15, 2015 by Radar Detector

[What 18,810]

Melksham isnt a bad player, I doubt anyone would really be bothered if WADA wasnt hanging around

What is the contingency plan if hes rubbed out long term? Would it mean we just threw pick 25 in the bin? Concerning

[givemethecure 5]

Personally, I think your lack of punctuation and incorrect spelling is worse. But that's just me.

Here I was thinking overly dramatic statements and poor grammar was part of being on DL. Chiedo scusa.

[Gorgoroth 12,319]

Welcome Milkshake.

Hope you do well.

[DistrACTION Jackson 6,418]

I for one am happy with this trade. Sure the WADA may come into play but the maximum I could see him being rubbed out for is a year, probably more likely 6 months so it shouldn't be a huge issue.

If we take pick 25 to the draft we have to select a kid who we aren't sure how they will turn out, put them into the gym to build an AFL body and likely wait a year or two before they can consistently compete. With Melksham we get a ready made player who has shown to have ability at AFL level and who will be helped by stability at a new club.

Hopefully the next deal is Bugg for our third round pick and we can somehow improve our draft position with the Howe trade.

[nutbean 8,837]

Melksham and Suckling would both struggle in our ordinary side, but one wouldn't have cost you pick 25.

And you know this how ?

[P-man 13,168]

Melksham for 25 is a fair deal. He's a relatively young, talented player who has played over 100 games of footy, so Essendon have already done all the donkey work for us.

He is also a much more talented player than your average AFL footballer, and could fill a very good role for us in an area that we have been poor in for a number of years (providing line breaking run from half back).

When I think about his recruitment I keep thinking about Rhyce Shaw. Shaw was an inconsistent wingman who was always in and out of the VFL. He was traded for a 3rd round pick to Sydney, who gave him a specific role in defence to use his run. At the time everyone was laughing at Sydney for trading for Shaw, since he was always derided by Collingwood supporters. Shaw took this simplified role, along with his added experience, and played nearly 150 more games with Sydney, including finishing 2nd in the B&F twice.

Melksham has talent and speed, and has been underperforming for the last two years at a basketcase of a club. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that a move to a better club, along with a simplified role across half back, would see Melksham become an important member of a good team. Certainly there is a better chance of him doing it than pick 25 (or whatever it becomes). You certainly couldn't pick up a player with his talent in this draft with pick 25.

Bumping this post because it wasn't just the usual "I'll back in the FD's decision" type of platitudes. It makes a reasonable case.

[Guest]

As usual, I suggest we celebrate this signing with a sing along.
https://youtu.be/y2SZPb7UUtc
I'll see myself out....