Jake Melksham is the sort of player for fantasy leagues that you will very often find in the draft pool, an undersized key forward in a poor team whose midfield is not noted for its quality delivery inside 50. He has been called upon in recent weeks to play full forward, a role not particularly suited to his slight frame, but he has managed to make it work by concentrating on leads rather than staying in the goalsquare, and has put the sword to some noted full backs. Picking up a player like this off the wire at just the right time is crucial to win your fantasy league.
Jake Melksham is the sort of player for fantasy leagues that you will very often find in the draft pool, an undersized key forward in a poor team whose midfield is not noted for its quality delivery inside 50. He has been called upon in recent weeks to play full forward, a role not particularly suited to his slight frame, but he has managed to make it work by concentrating on leads rather than staying in the goalsquare, and has put the sword to some noted full backs. Picking up a player like this off the wire at just the right time is crucial to win your fantasy league.
Milkshake is a bit thin
A foot injury derailed crafty forward Jake Melksham's ninth season, the former Bomber forced to miss three months through the middle of the campaign. After finishing 17th across the competition for score involvements, the creator fell outside the top 50 with a drop to a touch under six per outing. Melksham is influential for the Demons chances of a 2020 rise. An effective ball user inside the attacking half, expect further production from the veteran. Rarely able to convert this into significant fantasy scoring, even the most ardent Melksham fans would struggle to see him as much more than a depth selection.
Jake Melksham came to Melbourne with a high draft pick and is firmly in the best 22 at the club playing off a half forward flank, but perhaps he has underperformed compared to his ratings from his junior years. His strength is strength, which is uncharacteristic for a HFF in the modern game where the position is more often staffed by slim-hipped sprinters. The fact that he averages only half a contested mark and less than one mark inside 50 per game suggests that he doesn't make enough use of his bulk in the air. Fantasy owners have just about given up on his upside.
Jake makes the grade
The trend from late in 2017 of Jake Melksham moving away from tagging towards a dedicated HFF role was solidified last season. It took until round 5 for him to kick a goal as part of a haul of four on Alex Rance, but he did not go goalless after the bye including five across the three finals. A possession count hovering around 15 did not translate to consistently startable scores, however, with his better days featuring lots of uncontested marks. Even in a good team like the Demons now are, it can be tough sledding sometimes when you start on a flank. Melksham is not the type who can command targets near goal as easily as his bigger and more physically imposing teammates, and his game is more about inside 50s and score involvements. This means he should be on someone's roster due to raw average, but he would spend a lot of time on your bench and should only be started against minnows.
Jake shakes and bakes
A visit to the VFL didn't agree with Jake Melksham after a year off through ASADA suspension, and he got rubbed out again for a bit of biff. On his return to the senior side he shifted from defence to tagging and then to defensive forward duties. He started getting more dangerous on the scoreboard as the year went on, booting multiple goals in six of the last seven. Melksham's history features only about 15 touches a game anyway, so he might as well add a few goals per game to that to justify his spot in the Demon side and in fantasy teams. He effectively took the spot of Dean Kent, offering more chase while still providing a valid avenue to goal. He should be valued higher than his trailing average suggests, making him a late round pick.
