Jake Melksham says his appreciation for football has grown after Essendon drugs ban

AFTER sitting out of football for 12 months as a banned Bomber, Melbourne’s Jake Melksham as a new appreciation for the game.

Jake Melksham in action at Melbourne training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

AFTER sitting out of football for 12 months, Jake Melksham as a new appreciation for the game.

One of the banned Essendon 34, Melksham’s first year at Melbourne was cut short by the Court of Arbitration for Sport suspension.

However, the midfielder believes he learnt a lot in his time off and is now looking forward to his first game in blue and red when the JLT Community Series kicks off this month.

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Speaking on RSN927, Melksham said being able to play AFL professionally was a privilege.

“I took a lot for granted when I was younger,” he said.

“When you’re young, you’re free and don’t really give a stuff.

Bombers turned Demons Michael Hibberd and Jake Melksham. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“Now I’m a little bit older, something I love has been taken away from me for a year.

“When I play that first home-and-away game for the club, that’ll be a pretty special moment for me.

“It does mean more to me now. When something is taken away from you that you love, you don’t realise how much you miss it until it’s gone.”

👊👊 @jtren9 #MFCCamp pic.twitter.com/9Lt7hR46w1

— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) February 2, 2017

The Demons open their pre-season campaign against the Western Bulldogs at Whitten oval on February 18 before facing Carlton at Casey Fields on February 25 and finally a trip to Subiaco for a clash against West Coast.

Melksham played 114 games for the Bombers before signing a four-year deal with Melbourne at the end of 2015.

After being joined for fellow former Bomber, Melksham said new coach Simon Goodwin would likely play him across half-back, wing, midfield and half-forward.

Originally published as Jake Melksham says his appreciation for football has grown after Essendon drugs ban