$400k for Melksham is insanity in a way that makes $500k for Dawes look sensible.

Surely there is no way our footy department could be so moronic?

Top 10 draft pick means there's clearly 'something' there. You've got to possess either some sort of talent, some elite attributes/traits to get you there.

He's not potentially an upgrade on the list cloggers. He is a [censored] upgrade on them. How anyone can refute that I have no idea... His season in 2013 shits all over any 'best form' we've seen from Bail, McKenzie or Jones.

It sounds much more to me like supporters gathering like vultures in an excitable way only to be talking about their own personal 'dislike' for him. From what I've been reading on this thread, it sounds as if posters don't want him because of this supposed '[censored] attitude' or 'hot-head' character that he is. Is that really a good basis for forming a view on whether or not a player like him could be at the very least an upgrade on our deplorable depth who we've had to hold onto for far too long?

As for his personal attributes and qualities, again I'm sorry but I have to disagree with you.

I see him as someone who is really competitive and has a flair of aggression at the ball and player, he is a really hard runner, he has an ability to hit the scoreboard. I agree he's not an elite kick but I see it as more of a decision making thing than anything else. Similar to Viney.

If we're talking about his draft number I'd say that he possesses qualities that are much more important to the foundation of a side than qualities we've seen with our own past top 10 draft picks who haven't made it. Morton being one. No competitive edge, outside receiver, poor contested player, poor tackler, no elite kick etc.

As for Garland, he's a 28 year old senior figure at our club who's fluctuation in form over the years has been painful to watch. Regardless of the bluey, (which is voted by members of the board), his position in the backline could be filled by someone who provides more than just a 'beat your man' philosophy. The backline is a major problem and I see Garland as someone who in this day and age of football, doesn't provide enough run, intensity, counter attacking play, foot or decision making skills to propel us forward.

Melksham is a young midfielder who even if he was playing at Casey, would absolutely be an upgrade on having someone like Matt Jones as a depth midfielder.

Do you genuinely believe we'd be better off having one of Jones, McKenzie or Bail as a replacement for an injured starting 22?

C'mon.

In truth, you lost me at 'top ten draft pick means there's clearly something there'. He was taken one pick ahead of Gysberts.

And you kind of managed to get worse from there.

Having a few close friends who are Essendon supporters, I've known pretty much the whole of Melksham's career up close. The reason? A lot of Bomber fans get wound up every time they see him. "Here comes a turnover", "oh, let's see him go high and give away a free", or the more simply "what's the point of getting to a contest if you can't actually make a contest". I actually had a bit of sympathy for poor little Milkshake, because he definitely tried. You could see his legs pumping along all day, but the results were a lot like out-of-form Brock Mclean. Get to a contest, fail to really affect result... repeat...

Finally, in a midfield crying out for speed, Melksham ain't the answer.

You comparison to Garland, and dismissal of any meaning to the Melbourne Football Club Best & Fairest, is odd. I can't think of a time in fifteen years as a member where the Bluey was ever voted on by 'the board', as you say. There have been 'all the coaches', 'the head coach', 'the coaches and even some player input', 'the coaches with Cameron Schwab sending them irritating text messages', really a lot of variations, but it has never, ever gone outside the football department.

Personally, I'd recommend trying our luck with a late draft pick, rather than committing to Melksham. Maybe Goodwin is convinced that all the guy needs is some special attention to really improve his game. If we get him, I'll have a little chuckle and look forward to being annoyed by my Essendon friends, but won't write him off completely, not right away. Maybe he will, like Mclean, turn things around and manage a couple of years of solid contribution before fading again.

I'd back Taylor to find another Nibbler around pick 40 than take Melksham.

You're comparing Garlett with Melksham?

No. I'm talking about people being obsessed with the draft as our only option for bringing in talent.

You're a dill Stu and never fail to salute.

All positions on the list are important. Do you need reminding that Harmes, White and vanDenberg are rookies ? I also like the look of Max King.

Silly campaigner.

Yeah you're right. let's not trade our picks for peak age A graders, Harmes and King will lead us to a flag...

The other consideration is he hasn't been wallowing at some poor development club; say what you will about the club but Essendon's development program is one of the most lavish in the league. They're not exactly short of a quid.

So if he hasn't exactly "blossomed" after 6 years in this system, when exactly will it happen?

They have Mark neeld and neil craig

Yeah you're right. let's not trade our picks for peak age A graders, Harmes and King will lead us to a flag...

I would trade for a "peak age A grader".

Who do you have in mind ?

Have a read of Melksham's profile and stats on the Essendon website in the player profiles. You will find that he is a pretty solid performer. Go back and watch him play in matches like Essendon's victory over Hawthorn a year or two back and you will find that the kid can play!

Which bit of looming WADA penalties does no one wish to acknowledge?

All 34 are persona non grata.

Its actually irrelevant whether the Milkshakeman is good, bad, soft or otherwise. Hes going a a summer holiday soon...a rather long one.

Only an idiot would give this idea oxygen. I thought we'd gotten rid our idiots

How many clubs go through a season only using the same 22 that line up in Round 1? Reality is its about whether he would be in our top 30-odd players who will rotate through the season.

The guy I quoted said that he would clearly be in our best 22. I asked him to name it.

Your right. He would be in our top 30. Easily right now. But for how long? I would be hoping/expecting a large number of players to go past him by 2017.

I watch alot of Essendon games with the wife. Melksham is extremely frustrating because he does some ridiculously good things immediately followed by ridiculously bad things. This inconsistency is within one play, quarter to quarter and game to game. We need true midfield depth and he is a mature bodied hard running 24 year old. I would not make this move and certainly not for a 4 year deal but I doubt he would cost the world and being the decision would be made by someone who has seen him up close I will back them in.

Have a read of Melksham's profile and stats on the Essendon website in the player profiles. You will find that he is a pretty solid performer. Go back and watch him play in matches like Essendon's victory over Hawthorn a year or two back and you will find that the kid can play!

I can play too.

Just not very well.

What's your point ? He's lethal going for goal but averages 1/2 a game, and doesn't make up for it in the disposal or tackle count. So what is his talent ? Looking slack-jawed ?

He's a list-clogger.

Melksham is a defensive midfielder who is going to average around 20 possessions a game. He will never be your 30 + mid.

He can do a defensive tagging job if needed and used as a half forward. If we do get him he is not going to be a walk up starter he will have to earn his spot. He is already better then M Jones,Mckenzie,Bail,Toumpas but he will have to fight for his spot with the likes of Vince,Brayshaw,Jones,Brayshaw,Pettracca,Tyson,Harmes,Viney and co.

I trust Goodwin and if we give up a 3rd rounder in a shallow draft it's really not much at all.

Deep breaths everyone trust the process.

Which bit of looming WADA penalties does no one wish to acknowledge?

All 34 are persona non grata.

Its actually irrelevant whether the Milkshakeman is good, bad, soft or otherwise. Hes going a a summer holiday soon...a rather long one.

Only an idiot would give this idea oxygen. I thought we'd gotten rid our idiots

Agree and besides he not what we need, another flaky outside mid! We already have one of those and he can't get a game!

I watch alot of Essendon games with the wife. Melksham is extremely frustrating because he does some ridiculously good things immediately followed by ridiculously bad things. This inconsistency is within one play, quarter to quarter and game to game. We need true midfield depth and he is a mature bodied hard running 24 year old. I would not make this move and certainly not for a 4 year deal but I doubt he would cost the world and being the decision would be made by someone who has seen him up close I will back them in.

I've seen enough of this at the MFC to last me a lifetime.

No thanks.

No thanks.

I'm with you but sadly we don't get a say.

I would trade for a "peak age A grader".

Who do you have in mind ?

To be honest, apart from Danger (FA) I haven't bothered to try and guess the possibilities, as I feel like the way we go about our business under PJ and Roos we wouldn't even know who we're actually after (ala Tyson, Bernie). I have no doubt we've cast a wide net while at the same time picked out a couple of key focuses.

I'm with you but sadly we don't get a say.

I dare say the club will hear about it from the fans we if do trade for him.

The "veil of negativity" will be brought out of the wardrobe in a number of Demon households.

I ask the question, do we have room for both James Harmes and Jake Melksham's teeth in the same club?

JOKE melkSHAM says it all

I don't know anything about this guy but he sure generates a lot of negativity. Can anybody explain why?

I would have thought Goodwin would have a lot of insight and wouldn't chase him he was a dud.

I would have thought Goodwin would have a lot of insight and wouldn't chase him he was a dud.

You would think so.

I don't know anything about this guy but he sure generates a lot of negativity. Can anybody explain why?

I would have thought Goodwin would have a lot of insight and wouldn't chase him he was a dud.

just ask any bummer fan. he's as big a whipping boy as our jack

just ask any bummer fan. he's as big a whipping boy as our jack

Surely not. I blame Jack for the GEC.

just ask any bummer fan. he's as big a whipping boy as our jack

Does that mean a straight swap would keep things in balance?