I hoped he would be valuable but I didn't expect it to be in the role he's in, on that score he's been a real surprise packet. I was thinking he could be valuable rotating through the wing and half back line, but he's been bobbing up for goals quite regularly. We've managed to find multiple avenues to goal, that is massive for us. 

Jake Melksham showed his worth, tightening his control on Dayne Zorko after the Lion was prolific in the opening term. Zorko finished with 26 disposals and a goal but his influence was limited after the first change, while Melksham had an impact himself as he picked up 29 disposals, a goal and 472m gained. 

The Melk rules.

Becoming pretty handy at the quick snap from the pack.

Another solid game today

Underrated is Jake the Snake.

  On 20/08/2017 at 07:21, Skuit said:

Becoming pretty handy at the quick snap from the pack.

He is also a beautiful long kick for goal. Rivalling Bernie for distance?

He was a massive whipping boy at Essendon and was starting to head down that path here, too. In his early years there he was highly rated; I think he's starting to show why. Has definitely won me over in the last month.

At least Goodwin can see when something isn't working and is willing to change it up. The guy was being played out of position as a permenant BP/HB

  On 20/08/2017 at 08:28, Nasher said:

He was a massive whipping boy at Essendon and was starting to head down that path here, too. In his early years there he was highly rated; I think he's starting to show why. Has definitely won me over in the last month.

I remember that he was highly rated early and showing great signs as a young player.  He seemed to lose his way during the drug saga and never seemed to recover. 

I might be remembering it wrong.  

He seems to be improving weekly especially in his decision making.

Anyhow I think we have an athletic, durable and versatile footballer on our hands. 

  On 20/08/2017 at 08:21, Bobby McKenzie said:

He is also a beautiful long kick for goal. Rivalling Bernie for distance?

I think he has him now. 

Just a great team player who usually does exactly the right thing and has enough confidence to do things that some leave to others.

Jake is certainly making plenty on this site eat a lot of humble pie!

  On 20/08/2017 at 10:47, goodwindees said:

Jake is certainly making plenty on this site eat a lot of humble pie!

A milkshake and slice of pie with an extra scoop of humility for me, please.

I was one of the few on here defending him earlier this season. He's been a whipping boy for idiots in the past, but the club knew what they were doing when they traded him in. He's got talent and experience. In the past he has played his best footy as a half forwarding rotating in the midfield. He had a top 5 BnF finish in a team that played finals when playing that role all year. 

The coaches tried him at half back and it didn't work out. As soon as he was moved away from there and has been given roles up forward or in the midfield he has excelled. He's done some good tagging jobs on the likes of Pendlebury and Zorko when needed. He's accumulated a lot of ball in the midfield when given license to roam. He's one of the few who currently goes for kicks more than handballs, which makes him valuable as a link man heading into 50. He's also chimed in with multiple goals repeatedly when playing up forward, including kicking important long goals under immense pressure to give us wins. His long kicking for goal from 50-60 metres is probably the best at the club alongside Bernie and Petracca. I also reckon he's laid the most bumps of anyone in the team this year. Love that he asserts himself physically without giving away bad frees. A few of our players could learn from him there. 
He's definitely best 22 and his finals experience and maturity will be valuable come September.

PS The following statement from the MRP gave me a smile.
"Jake Melksham was also charged with misconduct for pushing an opponent into an umpire in Sunday's clash against the Brisbane Lions." Glad someone is trying to do something about the umpires. They are beyond incompetent and bordering on corruption this year!

Edited August 21, 20177 yr by Lord Travis

Would be a likely top 5 placer in the B&F if it wasn't for his average first 6-7 weeks. He's been absolutely brilliant since around Queens Birthday.

Fun fact: Jake has kicked at least one goal in each of his last eleven games. That ranks him at seven in the entire league for the most consecutive games kicking a goal. What makes this extraordinary is that he is the only player on that list that isn't a key forward.

https://afltables.com/afl/stats/alltime/misc_goals.html#10

Pick 25 almost seems like a bargain now.

  On 20/08/2017 at 10:47, goodwindees said:

Jake is certainly making plenty on this site eat a lot of humble pie!

I'm eating. I'm eating. And I must say it tastes alright. Long may he make me keep eating. 

Was just about best on for us. Not just for shut down job and disposals... but the fact that every time he was called upon he smashed a player or got the ball and made a positive effect. He's Hibberd like right now.

Not to bring it back to negativity, as he's done more than enough to be absolutely best 22 this year and next... but I still worry about his role going forward.

I always rated him, but hated him when he was at the Bombers. Always kicking goals and bobbing up when his team needed him.

Good trade, even when you consider the 1 year wait to play a match for us.

https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/J/Jake_Melksham.html

He was tracking very well as a young player, but his disposal stats took a fair dive whilst the doping saga was going on.  I believe it has had a serious impact on his ability to reach his potential.

With a clear head he may still have a bit of upside.

 

  On 21/08/2017 at 07:36, Demon Jack said:

Would be a likely top 5 placer in the B&F if it wasn't for his average first 6-7 weeks. He's been absolutely brilliant since around Queens Birthday.

Fun fact: Jake has kicked at least one goal in each of his last eleven games. That ranks him at seven in the entire league for the most consecutive games kicking a goal. What makes this extraordinary is that he is the only player on that list that isn't a key forward.

https://afltables.com/afl/stats/alltime/misc_goals.html#10

Pick 25 almost seems like a bargain now.

I thought second rounds picks were absolute bargains for each of Vince, Melksham and Hibberd.

I was completely on the money.

That said, I also thought Lumumba would be a great pick up for us. ?

We were apparently going to select Melksham with pick 11 in 2009. The Dons selected him with pick 10, and we then suprised the industry by picking Gysberts at 11 (overlooking Talia). At least we've been able to make amends.

 

Edited August 22, 20177 yr by Ron Burgundy

The funny thing is he keeps kicking long bomb goals in his highlights reel.

Slowly getting over the devastation of missing the finals by a whisker.

I want to give a shout out to Jake Melksham, who was  magnificent for the Dees , especially once Goody moved him to a new role half way through the season.

He kicked at least one goal in his last 12 matches, a streak he will take into next season.

He kicked 21 goals from the last 12 games.

He kicked some clutch goals at crucial stages.  He makes it look easy kicking goals from outside 50. A powerful kick of the footy. And while the goals were raining down, he was also shutting down his direct opponent more often than not. 

There was a lot of angst when we gave up a 2nd rounder for him , especially after he was rubbed out for a season, but he showed he was worth it.  If he can continue to excel in his new role it will be huge for the team

 

. 

His improvement over the year reflects well on Jake and the coaching staff. 

It shows what can happen when a player is given a chance by being regularly selected rather than being dropped after a game or two. Another one that fits this bill is ANB. 

In both cases, the players were able to develop confidence and form and reward a coach who was prepared to back them.  Finding the right position was also key. 

  On 11/09/2015 at 14:00, the fork said:

 Check Bigfooty, people going bananas about it there and people on bomberblitz having a laugh at our previously perceived stupidity.

I bet they aren't laughing now.

Melksham is a bloody star.     Thanks Essendruggos!!

Completely got this wrong. I was not excited at all when he came over, thought he was one of the most overrated players in that Dons side who was lucky to get a regular game.

Absolute masterstroke. Very few players in the league kick like him. Very good football sense. 

Suck it Essendon!