He is NOW the second best attacking halfback at the club. IF Salem moves into the midfield, Melksham is the best halfback we have. We've just markedly improved out backline for only pick 25, and he is better than Mitchie, Newton, Lamumba, Grimes, JKH, Riley, McKensie, Bail, Matt Jones, Harmes, White etc. For just pick 25.

Nah, I think I'll write an angry righteous email to Josh and [censored] about my pain.

Where is my waaaahmbulance?

Don't reckon pick 25 would have got us Dangerfield or Selwood (edit: assuming you mean Joel - if you mean Scott, wgaf? There's players like him everywhere).

Don't be silly. I'm not saying that.

Even if he gets suspended it will be for six months at the most 12 months, the essendon player have already served around 6 months when they got the first infraction orders that already time severed, that will come off suspension

I think ASAD said all bets are off and penalties would start afresh. Maybe because they did not plead guilty and maybe because the time 'served' wasn't away from the club. They were still training and attending functions during off season.

Edited October 15, 201510 yr by Moonshadow

I think this is a really astute trade for us. I'm pleased with it.

People here are not placing sufficient regard to the fact that Goodwin and McCartney genuinely know what he's like as a player and a person. They've worked with him. In short, he's not some speccy draft prospect who's been observed by some dude having watched a few hours of TAC Cup football. They also know what this list needs and where the gaps are.

And yep, he's not Selwood or Dangerfield, but neither of those players were gettable targets for this club. So that's largely irrelevant.

Welcome aboard Jake.

find it hard to rectify the word ASTUTE with WADA-Ban might just be me

He is NOW the second best attacking halfback at the club. IF Salem moves into the midfield, Melksham is the best halfback we have. We've just markedly improved out backline for only pick 25, and he is better than Mitchie, Newton, Lamumba, Grimes, JKH, Riley, McKensie, Bail, Matt Jones, Harmes, White etc. For just pick 25.

This is the crux. We obviously have a clearly defined role for Melksham and it also releases Salem to the wing.

Edited October 15, 201510 yr by ProDee

Previous 10 pick #25s are Wayde Mills, Nathan Djekurra, Tom Collier, Jack Redden, Aaron Black, Karnezis, Seb Ross, Spencer White, Dan McStay and Dan Neilson. Without knowing too much about Neilson I'd only take McStay & Redden over Melksham.

Human instinct is to complain/brag when trades happen. Perhaps it's just a fair deal. Don't be a sheep.

Been watching a lot of footy and have never seen his highlights look like that. Well played Melbourne's editing team, well played.

Welcome young Jake. Looking forward to 8 years of great service.

I don't rate Melksham, but I like the fact the club targeted a player and landed him without too much fuss.

I think as a club we are too nice. 4 years, at 400k for a WADA boy- SURELY nobody would have touched him in the PSD.

We give 25 over and Narcos use that to advantage. Why aren't we ruthless when the opportunity presents?

Or is 25 a useless pick, and if so, how can we be so sure?

We don't have nearly enough scapegoats to kick so i'm pleased the Melk (a Melbourne Elk) is on board.

How about we let him play a game before making him the new whipping boy?

How about we let him play a game before making him the new whipping boy?

was that aimed at wada?

If his recruitment alone makes Salem a better player and a midfielder, it was worth it.

I rate Salem only behind Hogan & Brayshaw for talent*

*Apologies to Petracca- waiting to see him in action

How about we let him play a game before making him the new whipping boy?

Nah that's not the DL way.

So long as it is an upgrade to Grimes off half back im happy i guess.

Mahoney has said this trade period that we are not yet a destination club. However, as we improve, we will become a destination club. We have targeted a player and acquired him with a minimum of fuss. What does this say?

This tells Dion Prestia, Jaeger O'Meara or whoever we are trying to get, that if you choose to come to the MFC then you will be able to get here without a fuss. It says that the club will do the right thing by you to ensure that you aren't screwed over and potentially thrown into the pre-season draft. Can St Kilda say that? Why hasn't Essendon been able to land anyone decent? Look at what Hawthorn is doing to get Carlisle; they're just getting the job done without a fuss.

If you were a player choosing between us and the Saints, would you choose the team that may potentially throw you under the bus or will you choose the team that has shown that it will get the job done for you?

Edited October 15, 201510 yr by Axis of Bob

How about we let him play a game before making him the new whipping boy?

might have a wait then

Where is my waaaahmbulance?

Way too much of Dwayne Russell in those highlights.

Say what you will about Melksham - the club identified him a long way out for a particular role and here he is and, again, if he can release Salem into the middle more then that is gold weight.

My only concern is not IF he can play, as I'll defer to the club on that , it is WHEN he can play and the wisdom of such

He could well be ok as a player. I just have this uneasy feeling we're being played by Essendon.

If his recruitment alone makes Salem a better player and a midfielder, it was worth it.

I rate Salem only behind Hogan & Brayshaw for talent*

*Apologies to Petracca- waiting to see him in action

I would put Salem ahead of Brayshaw for his silky skills.

Not upset with this trade, but WADA worries me. I would've sought an insurance policy, aka a swap of first round picks next season. If WADA come down on Essendon, we have pick 1, if they don't, then we still have a decent pick, probably around the range of our original one, probably slightly better. But in the Bombers eyes, a win for them... I wonder if that was ever put forward...

Edited October 16, 201510 yr by w00dy

I look at Melksham and I see a decisive disassociation from the past.

Obviously the commitment and sincerity is there by the presumed length of contract and future coach's comments.

There is a malevolent wind approaching Ess and people who make the effort to positively move on should not be overly recriminated against.

Anything could come out of November in circumspection.

looking on the bright side of life, i suppose a milkshake has got to better than a bag of chips

He chose our club when most others wouldnt. (regardless of money/contract etc)

Get around him.

Welcome Jake.