On 30/04/2018 at 05:16, Lord Ivanhoe said:

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/spargo-family-makes-history-in-charlie-s-impressive-demons-debut-20180430-p4zcfj.html

"They [my teammates] are all really good but one today was probably Jake Melksham he was always barking at me, in the right way, letting me know when to stand and helping me out a fair bit. Always keeping me composed and helped me if I ever needed anything today," he said (Charlie Spargo)

Also great Leadership from Jake.  The defensive forward role suits him big time!

thanks for the link @Lord Ivanhoe - he sounds like a really measured kid in those quotes- self effacing, measured and exuberant.

Apologies for nuts font size...

I thought Melkshan's game against the Bombers was outstanding. I like his hardness and true grit.

 

Just a lazy 5 today for the Milkshake.

 

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2018-05-20/jake-takes-five-in-demolition

Loved his game today. 

  On 20/05/2018 at 07:24, jane02 said:

Loved his game today. 

 

  On 30/04/2018 at 05:50, dieter said:

I thought Melkshan's game against the Bombers was outstanding. I like his hardness and true grit.

 

 

Edited May 20, 20186 yr by DV8

I must have been watching a different Melksham at Essendon, looked slow and poor disposal, quite the opposite at the dees 

Edited May 20, 20186 yr by SFebey

Melksham is my favourite player and I can't believe Essendon let him go. He can kick with either foot, can crash a pack and come out with the mark, set others up for easy shots at goal. His game today was outstanding but not surprising

. 

I was one of his biggest supporters on here when others were laying the boots in. His best football at Essendon always came on HFF and wing, decent enough to finish 2nd in their BnF in a finals year. He was started by Goodwin down back, which he doesn't suit. As soon as he was shifted forward/midfield he has been good. His kicking is a highlight, despite a shaky first few games in front of goal.

He's perfect up forward for us. Can play as a main target or play a negating role. Loved his game where he took Rance to the cleaners earlier this year! Not only is he capable of kicking bags of 4-5 every few weeks, he sets up a number of goals to others with his great field kicking and footy smarts.

Great to see him and Hobbo enjoying their footy again after what would've been a really sh*t time there for a few years.

  On 20/05/2018 at 08:09, SFebey said:

I must have been watching a different Melksham at Essendon, looked slow and poor disposal, quite the opposite at the dees 

I thought he was on track to be a very good player as a young colt.

He went backwards with the performance enhancing drugs saga. 

  On 20/05/2018 at 09:15, Stretch Johnson said:

I thought he was on track to be a very good player as a young colt.

He went backwards with the performance enhancing drugs saga. 

as most would... (not a crack at you @Stretch Johnson

no surprise that an environment where he (anyone) is supported means they have opportunity to thrive.

Jake knows where the goals are, and is a challenge to match up on given he is good body on body and has a good tank.

Really starting to build some good form.

Edited May 20, 20186 yr by Adzman

  On 20/05/2018 at 09:31, Adzman said:

Jake knows where the goals are, and is a challenge to match up in given he is good body on body and has a good tank.

Really starting to build some good form.

Nothing original to add on any thread sorry, all the good stuff has been written up...

My milk shake brings all the boys to the yard, 
And they're like, 
Its better than yours, 
Damn right its better than yours, …

I've always thought he looked a little bit stiff when playing, always seems very upright or something which you would think might impact his mobility but it certainly doesn't. One of the most effective players on our list. Does a lot of the little things in between kicking good inside 50 numbers and goals of course.

Started the year down on where he left off last year but turned the corner on ANZAC eve when sent to mind Rance. He's still frustrating to me because it's very hard to read what he is about to do with the ball and he gets blinkers on with his decision making. Not selfish, if anything he's unselfish, but he can miss clear options. There was one today where Tommy Mc had to call for an eternity to get a handball running through the middle of the ground that led to a goal.

Really strong attacking work rate and good in a contest, then dual sided with the ball. I think if he gets a little sharper defensively and starts seeing the easy options he can go to another level again.

 

  On 20/05/2018 at 08:09, SFebey said:

I must have been watching a different Melksham at Essendon, looked slow and poor disposal, quite the opposite at the dees 

Yes interesting. I've got an extended family of life long Essendrug supporters/members. They were shitty to lose Hibberd but very ho hum re Jake.

I reckon he's nearly the best field kick in our side.

He has elite skills and is a very smart footballer is our milkshake not just all froth and bubbles 

  On 20/05/2018 at 09:49, Bitter but optimistic said:

 

Yes interesting. I've got an extended family of life long Essendrug supporters/members. They were shitty to lose Hibberd but very ho hum re Jake.

I reckon he's nearly the best field kick in our side.

Astute observations as always Uncle!!

@Adzman I have no idea why or how I quoted you above. Apologies, wasn’t my intention.

12 goals for the season despite not kicking one in his first four games.

  On 20/05/2018 at 09:14, Lord Travis said:

I was one of his biggest supporters on here when others were laying the boots in. His best football at Essendon always came on HFF and wing, decent enough to finish 2nd in their BnF in a finals year. He was started by Goodwin down back, which he doesn't suit. As soon as he was shifted forward/midfield he has been good. His kicking is a highlight, despite a shaky first few games in front of goal.

He's perfect up forward for us. Can play as a main target or play a negating role. Loved his game where he took Rance to the cleaners earlier this year! Not only is he capable of kicking bags of 4-5 every few weeks, he sets up a number of goals to others with his great field kicking and footy smarts.

Great to see him and Hobbo enjoying their footy again after what would've been a really sh*t time there for a few years.

Goody may have played him back early days, for his kicking abilities.

As we found Hunt Salem and Hibbert, than not as essential for Melky playing back ?

Great game today and on top of his five, he was involved in many more and looked for players in better position.

Forward line is really starting to function as a team. TMac has made a big difference.

Since he moved forward Round 12 last season Melk has kicked 33 goals in 21 games, with god knows how many score assists, score involvements and lace out passes to teammates inside forward 50.

He was battling away on the half back flank last season until the bye.   I dont know what team meeting we had during the bye and who suggested he moved forward, but it was a stroke of genius.

I really like his off the ball stuff that compliments the goals he is kicking. He blocks, he hassles and he gives  them off as well.

  On 29/04/2018 at 09:33, dimmy said:

I was a knocker, but the last couple of games have changed my opinion. Well done to him.

It was just a matter of waiting for his game to return such are his skills and endeavour. This year, he has turned the corner in the last two weeks, and this is far earlier in the season that it was last season.  And, I ask, how good and valuable was Melksham's end to the 2017 season? It was bloody excellent!