I thought he had turned the corner in the second half of last year, but I was a little concerned when his first few weeks weren't much chop this season. But since then he has been fantastic and is turning into a very good pick up.

Supporters were bagging him early in his Dee career, now he is making them look very silly.

Has surprised me and is now a firm part of the 22.

 

Has captured his JLT cup form

The handful of times I have met him, I have been thoroughly impressed.

I think he's grown a lot since the Essendon sage and having a kid, from those days referenced in the Cooney mad monday article.

2 hours ago, jumbo returns said:

Has captured his JLT cup form

He beat the premiership hangover. 

2 hours ago, Redleg said:

Has surprised me and is now a firm part of the 22.

 

Automatic inclusion. When he came across I recall there being the possibility that we'd signed a bloke for 4 years who wouldn't play in his first season, and by the time we was able to play he might not be able to squeeze his way into the side dependent on the development of the similar kids we'd recruited.
Not sure if you'd call him a "moneyball" acquisition, but he looks like it after the fact.

I think looking back Jake was being played to fulfill a different role whilst missing Tom and Jack. His goal kicking talent was not being emphasised as it has now that Tom is back however he played the role for the moment which is what Goody asked of him.

It is a joy to sit back and watch him not only kick great goals but be the team player that he has become.

 

44 minutes ago, Mach5 said:

Automatic inclusion. When he came across I recall there being the possibility that we'd signed a bloke for 4 years who wouldn't play in his first season, and by the time we was able to play he might not be able to squeeze his way into the side dependent on the development of the similar kids we'd recruited.
Not sure if you'd call him a "moneyball" acquisition, but he looks like it after the fact.

Got to give Goodwin some credit here. 

I'm going to hazard a guess that Goody knew he had the talent and that his poor couple  of seasons had between the ears reasons. 

It's nice to finally start to be on the right side of some of these recruiting deals. 

1 hour ago, Mach5 said:

Automatic inclusion. When he came across I recall there being the possibility that we'd signed a bloke for 4 years who wouldn't play in his first season, and by the time we was able to play he might not be able to squeeze his way into the side dependent on the development of the similar kids we'd recruited.
Not sure if you'd call him a "moneyball" acquisition, but he looks like it after the fact.

Melksham’s an interesting one.  Looked like such a talent for Calder in 2009. He had a ripper GF, showing a bit of toe and a long, accurate kick.

 

Not sure exactly what happened after he got drafted, but didn’t really see a lot of his best traits for almost his entire run at Essendon, and his under 18 form started to look like an outlier rather than the norm. Not sure if it’s the change of environment, change of role or just maturity, but Melksham’s looking more and more like the player that was drafted at pick 10 in 2009. Where he wasn’t able to find a place as a midfielder, or back flanker (which is what we brought him into be), he’s really clicked as a medium forward.  Bit of credit due to the coaching team to trying him there to see how he would perform in that role, and plenty of credit to him for embracing all aspects.

 

His decision making has been on point, defensive accountability very impressive and his delivery into the fwd 50 has just been elite.

6 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

Since he moved forward Round 12 last season Melk has kicked 33 goals in 21 games...

It's actually 20 games.

Terrific game on Sunday.

Did go missing in some of the earlier games, so just needs to ensure that he maintains consistency. 

We have a lot of players that are suddenly looking better now that teammates are playing well and the team is playing well.  

Last year it was his goal kicking from on or outside 50 that amazed me.  This year it's his passing that's been the stand-out element of his game.  There's such penetration in his kick and the ball moves at such a speed that it splits the defensive zone and puts a team mate into space.  

Great to watch and long may it continue.

When you consider we gave up pick 25 (which became pick 30 after Academy bid matching), we've done well out of this trade.

BTW pick 30 ended up being Mason Redman. Harley Balic was still on the board and may have been our selection if we didn;t trade pick 25.  All worked out in the end:

 

 

2 hours ago, ChaserJ said:

Melksham’s an interesting one.  Looked like such a talent for Calder in 2009. He had a ripper GF, showing a bit of toe and a long, accurate kick.

 

 

 

Not sure exactly what happened after he got drafted, but didn’t really see a lot of his best traits for almost his entire run at Essendon, and his under 18 form started to look like an outlier rather than the norm. Not sure if it’s the change of environment, change of role or just maturity, but Melksham’s looking more and more like the player that was drafted at pick 10 in 2009. Where he wasn’t able to find a place as a midfielder, or back flanker (which is what we brought him into be), he’s really clicked as a medium forward.  Bit of credit due to the coaching team to trying him there to see how he would perform in that role, and plenty of credit to him for embracing all aspects.

 

 

 

His decision making has been on point, defensive accountability very impressive and his delivery into the fwd 50 has just been elite.

 

Great post Chaser. He had a top 5 finish in the bummers B&F one year - I'm sure it's no coincidence that this was in the time Goodwin was an assistant. I do recall him being one of their (if not THE) whipping boy. Perhaps that didn't do wonders for his confidence.  Their loss!

18 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

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

All good mate, I was a bit perplexed first up. The last thing I want is to annoy my fellow supporters.

 

He also seems lethal one out at the top of the goal square. Strong enough to move the likes of Rance. Can take a strong mark and get on his winged heels for the crumb or ball over the back. 

Edited May 21, 20187 yr by america de cali

Radar was out at the start of the season after running hot in the AFLX and a post-bye return of 21.4 last year.

Rounds 1-4: 0.7

Rounds 5-9: 12.4

Confidence has to play a part. @Nasher may also note that his minutes were being managed at the start of the year.

And while I'm a Goodwin fan it's hard to give full credit to the coach for identifying Milkshake's HFF potential - just about our whole roster has been tried through there now.

9 hours ago, longsuffering said:

I think looking back Jake was being played to fulfill a different role whilst missing Tom and Jack. His goal kicking talent was not being emphasised as it has now that Tom is back however he played the role for the moment which is what Goody asked of him.

It is a joy to sit back and watch him not only kick great goals but be the team player that he has become.

 

And may have put paid to Garletts return?

Melky and Spargo add to our small and agile dept'.

I just can't stop laughing at Essendon trading Milkshake and Pig for 2 x 2nd round picks!!

4 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

I just can't stop laughing at Essendon trading Milkshake and Pig for 2 x 2nd round picks!!

Deemed overs for both, by many on here at the time...

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

Radar was out at the start of the season after running hot in the AFLX and a post-bye return of 21.4 last year.

Rounds 1-4: 0.7

Rounds 5-9: 12.4

Confidence has to play a part. @Nasher may also note that his minutes were being managed at the start of the year.

And while I'm a Goodwin fan it's hard to give full credit to the coach for identifying Milkshake's HFF potential - just about our whole roster has been tried through there now.

His last 2 matches were off the charts work rate / output wise compared to the first 7.

Also, statistically that was the 3rd best rated game by an MFC player all year, only bettered by Clarry's Rnd 7 & 8 games against the Saints & Suns.

Has taken it to another level, but lets keep a lid on it a tad.  The Crows are a whole different kettle of fish compared to the likes of the Suns / Blues.  Good signs though!

Edited May 21, 20187 yr by Rusty Nails

On 4/30/2018 at 12:18 PM, whatwhatsaywhat said:

General feeling from the Peptides is we paid overs for Melksham and unders for Hibbo

I must say I was pretty disappointed early last year when he started as a defender - thought we had definitely  paid overs - but since he has moved forward he has been a real revelation 

Hard running, hard working, team orientated and kicks some telling long goals that must be frustrating and a bit demoralizing to oppositions.

It must be great for the young forwards such as Fritsch, Hannan, Spargo to have his leadership. 

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-22/buddy-stevie-j-gaz-and-jake-melksham#/

Superstar.

Leads the league in goal assists too.   Hes a gun.

Edited May 21, 20187 yr by Petraccattack

20 hours ago, Stretch Johnson said:

Got to give Goodwin some credit here. 

I'm going to hazard a guess that Goody knew he had the talent and that his poor couple  of seasons had between the ears reasons. 

It's nice to finally start to be on the right side of some of these recruiting deals. 

Good call re credit to Goodwin, I'll put my hand up and say i thought he was playing favorites, so he definitely gets the kudos for how Jake is going now. Well done coach!