Veteran forward Jake Melksham has officially extended his stay at Melbourne to continue playing in 2025 on a one-year deal.
The 33-year-old fell out of contract with Melbourne's season ending before September, but the hybrid proved himself capable of continuing his career for at least one more season, with The Age writer Peter Ryan providing the update a week ahead of the signing.
Melbourne veteran Jake Melksham has an offer from the Demons to continue his career in 2025 after making a successful comeback from a knee reconstruction this season playing the final eight matches. Respected figure at the club.@agerealfooty
— peter ryan (@petryan) September 12, 2024
Suffering a cruel ACL injury in the final home & away match of 2023 against Sydney, Melbourne's September hopes took a hit with the absence of their mercurial forward in that campaign.
His stint on the sidelines dragged deep into the 2024 season, but Melksham was able to make an astonishingly quick comeback, returning at the start of July this season in the Demons' 54-point Round 17 belting of West Coast.
His inclusion seemed to coincide with a quality patch of form at the club, kicking four goals in his first two weeks back, the second week helping lead an important 17-point over Essendon.
Unfortunately Melbourne's season fell apart after this match, the club coughing up four straight losses to squander their shot at September, Melksham demoted to the sub-role for Rounds 22 and 23.
Still, his rapid return and immediate impact speaks to his professionalism since being picked up by Melbourne, often looking like their most dangerous forward when in-form, capable of winning games off his own boot as he did in Round 18 against Brisbane, 2023.
Melbourne's 2025 fortunes will come into question this summer, with a focus on replenishing their top four level form while developing their young core. Melksham will be a key piece in both aspects, threatening defenses with his high quality forward craft while providing the leadership necessary to build the future forward crop of the club lead by Jacob Van Rooyen and Kysaiah Pickett.
More Melky magic in 2025. โจโ๏ธ
๐ | https://t.co/VOVulSAMqS pic.twitter.com/p9HyCPX8I8
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) September 17, 2024
Club list manager Tim Lamb shared his pride in extending Melksham's Melbourne tenure.
โWe are really pleased to offer Jake another contract and extend his time in the red and blue,โ Demons' List Manager Tim Lamb said.
โJake is an incredibly diligent athlete, and the dedication he showed to get himself back to AFL level was testament to this.
โJake has had significant impact on our program and broader club since arriving 10 years ago. He continues to push himself to be the best player and teammate he can be, and we look forward him playing another important role for us in 2025.โ
