Essendon Football Club has received Melbourne’s second-round pick (pick 25) in exchange for midfielder Jake Melksham.

List and Recruiting Manager, Adrian Dodoro, thanked Jake for his service to the Club.

“Jake is a wonderful young man and while we are disappointed to see him go we have secured a good deal for the Essendon Football Club,” Dodoro said.

“Jake has developed into a promising young midfielder.  He’s a 100 game player for our Club and will always be welcome back at Essendon.

“From everyone at the Club we wish Jake and his family all the best for the next chapter in his career.”

As it stands, the trade provides Essendon with three selections inside the top 25 (4, 23 and 25) at next month’s National Draft in Adelaide.

“Pick 25 for Jake is a fair deal for our football Club and it strengthens our position at next month’s National Draft,” Dodoro said.

“Todd Viney and his team at Melbourne have been extremely professional in their dealings with us and this is a win-win for both parties.

“We now have three live selections inside the top 25 and we could still improve our position depending on the outcome of the Jake Carlisle negotiations.”

Essendon currently holds selections 4, 23, 25, 41, 59, 77, 95, 113 ahead of next month’s National Draft.