Hmm, like some others here i think he should come back via Casey.

But fingers crossed he does well in his return with 'the ones'.

I presume he will get fairly low game time, perhaps 60% TOG?

  On 04/07/2024 at 20:31, Bring-Back-Powell said:

It will be interesting to see how our forward line operates with Melksham and Fritsch together as there is potential headaches for the opposition.

The good news is that either player can play that defensive role on a Harris Andrews/Jacob Weitering star defender. Perhaps one of them takes McGovern on Sunday.

They only played together about 6 times last year, and in their last 2 games together Fritta went off injured in Alice and then Melk went off injured at the SCG, but they combined for 7 goals that day.

I actually think that's exactly what will happen, Melksham to play the negative role on Gov. 

Makes his first game back a simpler task mentally and we know he can do that job well. 

  On 04/07/2024 at 22:52, layzie said:

I actually think that's exactly what will happen, Melksham to play the negative role on Gov. 

Makes his first game back a simpler task mentally and we know he can do that job well. 

and is much better suited physically to that task than fritta. Will free fritsch up I think. 

  On 04/07/2024 at 04:55, DubDee said:

Jake is the only one that keeps himself out.  He played so many 4-7 possession games over the last few years with very little impact, then had a purple patch late last year. 

If he can maintain focus and intensity for 4 quarters he is one of the first picked as he is so skilled. That is why he frustrates me so much. He kicks on his left better than most of the team on their preferred foot.  Maybe defensive fwd is a way to get him into games? He does that well

What is a defensive forward please?

  On 05/07/2024 at 00:46, Dingo said:

What is a defensive forward please?

A forward who stops the other teams best interceptor. It's an extremely important role in the modern game.

Personally, I think this is a terrible decision. Melks should return via Casey to build his match fitness. Goodwin and the match committee continue to show they have no clue with their team selections. 

  On 05/07/2024 at 01:00, sydneydee said:

Personally, I think this is a terrible decision. Melks should return via Casey to build his match fitness. Goodwin and the match committee continue to show they have no clue with their team selections. 

Tend to agree. Didn't work out too well for Spargo, Petty or MacAdam. 

  On 05/07/2024 at 01:00, sydneydee said:

Personally, I think this is a terrible decision. Melks should return via Casey to build his match fitness. Goodwin and the match committee continue to show they have no clue with their team selections. 

If we’d had Melky to come on in the last quarter we’d have been more likely to beat the Lions last week. 

Players come straight in if they’re better than those in the team. 

welcome back Jake..! 

  On 05/07/2024 at 01:00, sydneydee said:

Personally, I think this is a terrible decision. Melks should return via Casey to build his match fitness. Goodwin and the match committee continue to show they have no clue with their team selections. 

match fitness?? this isnt 1980

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1592498/jake-melksham-returns-to-afl?videoId=1592498&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1720135054001

  On 05/07/2024 at 01:00, sydneydee said:

Personally, I think this is a terrible decision. Melks should return via Casey to build his match fitness. Goodwin and the match committee continue to show they have no clue with their team selections. 

Personally, I think this is a wonderful decision. Melks should return via the AFL team to help us win. Supporters continue to show they have no clue with their team selection advice.

  On 05/07/2024 at 01:00, sydneydee said:

Personally, I think this is a terrible decision. Melks should return via Casey to build his match fitness. Goodwin and the match committee continue to show they have no clue with their team selections. 

Wouldn't you be better to wait until after the match to see the outcome? Making a statement ("Goodwin has no clue"), from a personal opinion about the decision, is illogical.

My Milkshake brings all the noise that is marred.

Usually takes some time to get in the groove.  

Hopefully he can get his hands on it a few times and start to build.

  On 05/07/2024 at 03:09, Chook said:

Personally, I think this is a wonderful decision. Melks should return via the AFL team to help us win. Supporters continue to show they have no clue with their team selection advice.

This is typical demonland herd mentality. For Melks sake I hope I am wrong but this smells like a Spargo rd 1 inclusion. You should not pick players unless they are cherry ripe. Melks hasn’t played in 10 months and is how 33 years old. Sorry chook but you have your head in the sand with this one. 

  On 05/07/2024 at 03:30, mauriesy said:

Wouldn't you be better to wait until after the match to see the outcome? Making a statement ("Goodwin has no clue"), from a personal opinion about the decision, is illogical.

I am not a Goodwin fan and think he has underperformed given the talent on our list. However I said “Goodwin and the match committee” My opinion is that both Goodwin and the match committee both have a poor track record of bringing players back underdone that has contributed to underperformance. 
 

 

Go kick [censored] Jake !

  On 05/07/2024 at 00:46, Dingo said:

What is a defensive forward please?

If it’s forwards that can’t kick straight or consistently impact on the scoreboard we have a few to loan out 

  On 05/07/2024 at 06:36, sydneydee said:

This is typical demonland herd mentality. For Melks sake I hope I am wrong but this smells like a Spargo rd 1 inclusion. You should not pick players unless they are cherry ripe. Melks hasn’t played in 10 months and is how 33 years old. Sorry chook but you have your head in the sand with this one. 

Spargo was injured Round 1 and yes should never have played. 
Melksham’s situation is completely different, he has been fully training for weeks 

  On 05/07/2024 at 07:17, Sydee said:

If it’s forwards that can’t kick straight or consistently impact on the scoreboard we have a few to loan out 

Such a ridiculous comment

Defensive forwards are very important in today’s game where most teams have an intercept defender. Lever, Moore, Andrews, these types of guys can absolutely win games. 
Having someone to mind them is critical in not only allowing your forwards to mark the ball, but in stopping the opposition from starting attacking chains from half back. 

  On 05/07/2024 at 08:25, Jaded No More said:

Such a ridiculous comment

Defensive forwards are very important in today’s game where most teams have an intercept defender. Lever, Moore, Andrews, these types of guys can absolutely win games. 
Having someone to mind them is critical in not only allowing your forwards to mark the ball, but in stopping the opposition from starting attacking chains from half back. 

Someone’s misplaced their sense of humour - lighten up a bit 

  On 05/07/2024 at 06:45, Wodjathefirst said:

Go kick [censored] Jake !

Love it when the autocensor means a post can be completely open to interpretation.

But I 100% agree that Jake should get out there and kick whatever [censored] or whomever's [censored] needs kicking.

Leave no [censored] unkicked, good sir!

  On 05/07/2024 at 08:19, Sir Why You Little said:

Spargo was injured Round 1 and yes should never have played. 
Melksham’s situation is completely different, he has been fully training for weeks 

Yes it's surprising how many don't read WCW's amazing training reports.

  On 05/07/2024 at 06:45, Wodjathefirst said:

Go kick [censored] Jake !

Why would "goals" be censored?

  On 05/07/2024 at 00:50, DistrACTION Jackson said:

A forward who stops the other teams best interceptor. It's an extremely important role in the modern game.

It is interesting to note the evolution of the game. Not long ago the defensive forward was mostly about putting a clamp on opposition rebounding runners and skilled kickers. Heath Shaw, Kade Simpson, Nick Malceski, Bachar Houli - names that would be attached to statistics like metres gained, long kicks, disposal efficiency. These days you'd hardly ever see a defender take a running bounce!

Now it is much more focused on the intercepting defenders and preventing them from completely killing off an attack and being able to rebound before the swarm gets back into defensive patterns.

Perhaps it is a reflection of the general move to score goals by opportunism and harassment while keeping the ball in the forward line, which is still viable or necessary in this current period where really efficient third-man-up support has shifted the balance of power against all but the very best key forwards. Statistically a shift from marks inside 50 to tackles inside 50.