Yes, he has had a few ordinary years, but considering how much of a shambles the Dons were in that time, it's understandable. As pointed out, if he can recapture his 2013 for, he's a bargain.

I hope he can, though am still concerned about the elephant...

There is something to be said for just getting it done...

We took two players at 40 and 53 that some considered for 23 - the Teenage Lottery Draft will have some talent at lower picks for us to hopefully get some decent footy players in with.

We have so much talent that is either 27+ or U/22. It will help to get some starting 22 players in between those age brackets.

He would be proud. Unfortunately the nutjob who wrote it isn't something to write home about it though..

Now, now, you know what I think about name-calling...

Yes, he has had a few ordinary years, but considering how much of a shambles the Dons were in that time, it's understandable. As pointed out, if he can recapture his 2013 for, he's a bargain.

I hope he can, though am still concerned about the elephant...

His disposal has been iffy at times and he's gone missing as well. But as you say, before the Dank he was looking the goods.

Some many bitter people on this forum these days.

Some many bitter people on this forum these days.

It isn't just this forum. I just skimmed over 300 comments from 18 clubs worth of supporters... there was not one comment from someone calling this a remotely fair trade. I know it's only Facebook, but even most people can see that the Dangerfield trade was relatively win/win for those clubs in the long run.

" Massive overs, the guy is a fringe player and a 3rd round selection at best"

"you must think it's Christmas. Melbourne don't ever deserve to make finals."

"I reckon bombers would of accepted pick 80 for him"

"This is why Melbourne are the biggest joke of a football club the pay way overs on average players, first round pick for Dawes few years back and now an early second round pick for melksham , get ready for another season of mediocrity"

" I would of been happy for him to be delisted but I'll take pick 25. "

" If Melbourne ever had the plot, they have surely now lost it.."

"waste pick 25 for a vfl player lol"

"Bombers #winning melksham anything over $300k a year is abhorrent behaviour from Melbourne"

"Best news ever. We even got a decent pick for the list clogger"

I had to stop, it was seriously just pages of abuse.

https://www.facebook.com/AFLTRDON?fref=nf

Melbourne have only mentioned 2nd round pick. They didn't mention pick 25

That leaves the door open to trade 25 out in another deal and get a 30 something back in return.

This then becomes our 2nd pick which we could trade for Melksham.

We want to let Toumas go back to Adelaide, they at the moment have pick 32 (Round 2)

Edited October 12, 20159 yr by Barney Rubble

Can't wait to see the back flipping next year, I rated melksham when he was drafted he had a good couple of years then with the stuff that happened at essendon can't blame him for stagnating, I really hope he comes out and kills it next year and I really think he will

I hope he lifts now so we can spit it back in the face of those arrogant bomber fans!!

Melbourne have only mentioned 2nd round pick. They didn't mention pick 25

That leaves the door open to trade 25 out in another deal and get a 30 something back in return.

This then becomes our 2nd pick which we could trade for Melksham.

Possibly Howe and 25 to North for 35 and 15? Seems like a win-win. 35 to Essendon for Milkshake. Howe deal may not get done until later in the week though, essendon want it done ASAP

Possibly Howe and 25 to North for 35 and 15? Seems like a win-win. 35 to Essendon for Milkshake. Howe deal may not get done until later in the week though, essendon want it done ASAP

they want to bend us over before we wake up to our own stupidity

Essendon Fans would say any player is rubbish who wants to leave their beloved Bombers. Melksham is a really exciting player to watch in full flight. I remember seeing him compete admirably against Hawthorn a few years ago. He has a much harder edge and is more competitive than a lot of the players on our list. At his best Inthink he would possess many of the attributes of Angus Brayshaw and Jack Viney. Have faith in Goodwin, he was a seriously good footballer and a solid competitor. He will get the best out of our players and will command their absolute respect. Go Demons!

Edited October 12, 20159 yr by Thehardtackler

It isn't just this forum. I just skimmed over 300 comments from 18 clubs worth of supporters... there was not one comment from someone calling this a remotely fair trade. I know it's only Facebook, but even most people can see that the Dangerfield trade was relatively win/win for those clubs in the long run.

" Massive overs, the guy is a fringe player and a 3rd round selection at best"

"you must think it's Christmas. Melbourne don't ever deserve to make finals."

"I reckon bombers would of accepted pick 80 for him"

"This is why Melbourne are the biggest joke of a football club the pay way overs on average players, first round pick for Dawes few years back and now an early second round pick for melksham , get ready for another season of mediocrity"

" I would of been happy for him to be delisted but I'll take pick 25. "

" If Melbourne ever had the plot, they have surely now lost it.."

"waste pick 25 for a vfl player lol"

"Bombers #winning melksham anything over $300k a year is abhorrent behaviour from Melbourne"

"Best news ever. We even got a decent pick for the list clogger"

I had to stop, it was seriously just pages of abuse.

https://www.facebook.com/AFLTRDON?fref=nf

I honestly couldn't give a flying fluck what people have to say in the comments on Facebook.

Most of them are just trolls who have nothing better to do and get their rocks off each time they appear to offend somebody.

I honestly couldn't give a flying fluck what people have to say in the comments on Facebook.

Most of them are just trolls who have nothing better to do and get their rocks off each time they appear to offend somebody.

The general point I'm trying to make is that most other footy people are in disbelief at the trade. I've already had about 5 texts tonight on the subject.

The trade is surely not just Melksham for #25 (if it was just Melksham for 25, we wouldn't be waiting until tomorrow), but Melksham-plus-Bugg (for example) for #25. We thus get two players who will follow instructions & play disciplined footy, run both ways, attack hard off half-back etc, and contribute to the whole-of-team effort.

Howe, for all his talents, wasn't always great at this. It only takes one or two players out of 18 to cruise and not man up or not run defensively etc and the whole team structure falls apart, like it did far too many times last season. Both Bugg and Melksham will make our team structure a whole lot tighter.

All this for pick 25 in a weak draft. And THAT'S smart trading & good value!

Edited October 12, 20159 yr by Akum

Yes, he has had a few ordinary years, but considering how much of a shambles the Dons were in that time, it's understandable. As pointed out, if he can recapture his 2013 for, he's a bargain.

I hope he can, though am still concerned about the elephant...

Agreed. We know he can do it, but has looked disheartened the last couple of years. WTF wouldn't after the pharmacy led saga of Hird et al. I think it's well worth it if he doesn't get stung by WADA. I trust Roos and Goodwin to get the best out of him.

The general point I'm trying to make is that most other footy people are in disbelief at the trade. I've already had about 5 texts tonight on the subject.

Footy people?

Good get. Happy with a second rounder. I reckon the haters will be surprised next year.

Perfect case of a talented player not playing to his potential at a rabble of a club.

Spot on.

He will be a good pick up.

The way people are going on I could of swore we have just given up pick 6 for Melksham.

I have full faith in our recruiters, they have pin pointed players for a specific role in our team. And giving up pick 25ish for a player with 100 games under his belt and will bring some physicality to our squad, I think he will be a good addition.

Let's hold judgement to this time next year and just back in our recruiters decisions.

Pick 25 will end up being about 30 when Acadamy players and GC extra pick from last year comes in.

Astonished how people (and clubs) continue to overrate draft picks!

This is what pick 25 has snagged since 2000. I count TWO players ahead of Melksham.

2000 - Mark Coughlan - 92 games since drafted

2001 - Steven Armstrong - 79

2002 - Callum Urch - 8

2003 - Harry Miller - 18

2004 - Adam Hartlett - 11

2005 - Wayde Mills - 16

2006 - Nathan Djerrkura - 25

2007 - Tom Collier - 27

2008 - Jack Redden - 129

2009 - Aaron Black - 50

2010 - Patrick Karnezis - 25

2011 - Sebastian Ross - 37

2012 - Spencer White - 2

2013 - Daniel McStay - 29

2014 - Daniel Nielson - 0

Still think we're paying massive overs?

I think it it is best to hold fire until the end of the draft. It seems to me a trade can't be judged in isolation so let's look at the total package before getting too carried away. I am sure there is good reason for what's being done and that there are many subplots and twists being played out. Happy to just sit back and watch what unfolds.

Pick 25 will end up being about 30 when Acadamy players and GC extra pick from last year comes in.

It's already pick 25 factoring in GC's compensation pick. And you've got the Academy situation backwards; clubs now give up multiple picks to secure Academy prospects, thus moving later picks up the draft not down. Sydney for instance may need to burn multiple first rounders to secure Mills.

I guess FA compo could affect where pick 25 falls, but of the 3 FA's so far Danger was traded and Selwood and Suckling only gave compo in the late 30's.

I think it it is best to hold fire until the end of the draft. It seems to me a trade can't be judged in isolation so let's look at the total package before getting too carried away. I am sure there is good reason for what's being done and that there are many subplots and twists being played out. Happy to just sit back and watch what unfolds.

I was guilty of judging the Frost deal prematurely, but the value of that really came down to luck on draft night. Don't think anyone saw ANB or T-Mac's brother sliding that far. I'm just hoping this isn't a straight swap for 25 because we've gotten much more currency in the past for our picks.

Edited October 12, 20159 yr by Lamashtu

Howe to Gold Coast for Pick 19

Pick 19 to GWS for Bugg & Pick 27

Pick 27 to Essendonfor Melksham

Howe gets us Bugg & Melksham. Win for me!

Pick 25 will end up being about 30 when Acadamy players and GC extra pick from last year comes in.

Those are not 'live' picks so they don't really push back those eligible in the draft.

For all intents and purposes we will get the 25th best talent we could get with Pick 30 if there are 5 Academy selections.