On 15/09/2021 at 23:45, dazzledavey36 said:

This is a good point.

I think the club would like to really have a look at Bailey Laurie next year who's very skilful by foot and plays that high half forward role. Melksham has never been quick, but his smarts and IQ had made up for that. But I think even that's catching up to him.

There is a theme when you're playing in Melbourne's forward 6 and that is you've got to bring immense pressure and tackling. Unfortunately again this hasn't been a strong part of Melkshams game.

Even if he cannot find a home next year he's still a good experienced depth option to have.

He was brought in specifically to play on McGovern and did a very good job.

Not sure if that role is enough to keep him tho...

Age and games played doesn't necessarily mean leadership, or experience for that matter. Exactly what a developing club doesn't need. Hope he ends up at the Filth then!

Geez fair few low blows and uncalled for whacks going on in this thread.

Expected Dees fans to have a bit more grace now we're 'successful'. Pull it in a bit I reckon.

IF......... he's borderline best 22 at the best club in the country

THEN..........surely he''s of benefit to any club in the bottom 8 

Harsh commentary here.

He had a significant ankle injury a few years ago.  Out for a long time.

Hasn't been the same since.

I think he's been a good servant particularly in 2018. A good ball user in a list which has been short of good ball users.

If he does go my abiding memory of him will be the goal he kicked from on the 50 in the 4th quarter (or was it 3rd?) when we were under the pump against the Hawks in the semi and looking like we were going to choke. settled the team right down again.  Beautiful techique. Drilled the ball straight through the middle. 

  On 16/09/2021 at 02:04, BDA said:

I think he's been a good servant particularly in 2018. A good ball user in a list which has been short of good ball users.

If he does go my abiding memory of him will be the goal he kicked from on the 50 in the 4th quarter (or was it 3rd?) when we were under the pump against the Hawks in the semi and looking like we were going to choke. settled the team right down again.  Beautiful techique. Drilled the ball straight through the middle. 

Lest we forget...

 

  On 16/09/2021 at 02:08, TRIGON said:

Lest we forget...

 

one of my favourite moments of the last 20 years

  On 16/09/2021 at 02:08, TRIGON said:

Lest we forget...

 

haha i was in the middle of the first shot of the celebrating fans.

  On 16/09/2021 at 02:37, Cards13 said:

haha i was in the middle of the first shot of the celebrating fans.

The really good looking one dressed in red and blue?

  On 16/09/2021 at 02:38, TRIGON said:

The really good looking one dressed in red and blue?

hhaha yeap that's the one, the one celebrating very loudly.

I doubt Melk plays another game at the demons if he stays (and I imagine he has been told as such), so he should try to grab another deal if he can

I've been very disappointed in him the last couple of years.  He has such talent but doesn't seem to run and keep intensity up for more than a quarter. 

Doubt we'd get anything for him but good luck to him

He’s just doing the prudent thing to prolong his career - I can’t see breaking back in to the side becoming any easier next year. He’s been a good player for us over the years and I’d wish him all the best.

I think the likely trade would be a token one.

Straight swap for Cerra?

I kid 😅

Interesting and as has been wondered on this thread, I wonder who instigated this or was it potentially even mutual?

The club has something up its sleeve RE Cerra and I'm not saying Melksham is it, but I'd expect a few more surprises in the coming weeks I reckon.

Edited September 16, 20213 yr by A F

Fair enough, could have another 2-3 good years in him at another club. sounds like a win-win. might be the experience the Suns are looking for 

Win win here I think. 

I believe he signed a 4 yr extension in 2018 at the peak of his powers when he was arguably in our top 5 most important players. So expect he is on decent coin. 

So moving him on frees up wasted cap space and gives him a better chance at playing senior footy and getting a 2 year deal to extend his career. 

Really liked him as a player, great finisher, but wasn't a spot in the 22 with the way we play. In 2018 he was the no. 1 contested player inside 50 from memory. 

  On 16/09/2021 at 03:00, Dwight Schrute said:

Fair enough, could have another 2-3 good years in him at another club. sounds like a win-win. might be the experience the Suns are looking for 

Spot on, this will be his manager throwing this out there to try and extend his AFL career.  Stays at the Dees most likely in and out of the side next year and with the age demographic of our list he wouldn't be offered another contract.  Looks now for a club that he can get a 2-3 year deal.

Or the Dees want cap space to go after a player

  On 16/09/2021 at 00:38, Clint Bizkit said:

I’m surprised he’s only 30, he’s really lost a lot of pace.

 

Moves like he’s forgotten his boots & had to borrow Jordan Lewis’ concrete ones

My only close up recollection of this player was in Sydney last year. 200 MFC members (or so) including me were allowed to have seats at the Giants stadium to watch Melbourne play the Suns. We were all perched in a tier above the coaching box but fairly close. It was a nice group, very grateful to see at least 1 game in the season.

At some stage, Melksham had royally messed up and the coach took him off and some of the crowd (if you can call 200 of us such) gave him a Bronx-style ripping as is normal.

We were in earshot of the coaching box.

As he crossed the boundary, the player in question looked up at us and said pretty much verbatim - "go and get f**&ed you c**&suckers".

We were a very red and blue crowd - no Suns supporters at all.

There were young children among the 200.

And it is us members who help to pay his salary and are loyal to the team.

I was very unimpressed and won't shed a tear if he departs.

 

  On 16/09/2021 at 02:51, Jaded said:

Straight swap for Cerra?

I kid 😅

Bloody right Jaded.

we’d want a 2nd round pick as well

Curious timing with the grand final around the corner.

  On 16/09/2021 at 04:11, Nascent said:

Curious timing with the grand final around the corner.

I was thinking the same thing.

First the Jones retiring announcement now the Melksham story and our season isn't finished yet.

As you say, curious timing.

Would have thought everyone would keep their powder dry 'til after the GF to not distract the team from focusing on our ultimate goal.  List changes can wait.

Are these things that much of a distraction though? Wouldn’t have thought so.

If this is coming out then he probably has already been told he’s not in the calculations for the GF spot. If he goes, thank for the service and good luck. If he stays, we could do much worse than him for depth. 

He’s been a good pick up and was super important in 2018, sadly injury has slowed him down like many others.