Jake Melksham will run out for his 100^th game with Essendon this weekend against Collingwood.

The Bomber midfielder has made a strong start to the 2015 season playing on some of the competition’s best on-ballers.

“I’m starting to feel comfortable in there,” Melksham said. 

“I like playing in there with Jobe and ‘Hep’ (Dyson Heppell).  I get a first hand look at how they perform and how they go about it. 

“It’s good to be part of such a strong midfield and we’re going alright at the minute.”

Melksham was taken with the number 10 pick in the 2009 national draft.

He was recruited after an excellent season with the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup that culminated in him picking up the best on ground medal in the side’s Grand Final win.

“It wasn’t until I was about 16 that I made a few representative sides that I thought it was a big opportunity, if I took it.  It’s all worked out well,” Melksham said. 

Melksham made an immediate impression when he arrived at the club playing 14 games in his first season. 

“Once you get to the club, your work is not done.  You’ve been drafted but you haven’t made it.”

His best year came in 2013 when he averaged 20 possessions a game and kicked 16 goals. 

After struggling for consistency in 2014, Melksham has become an integral part of the Essendon midfield.

“I wanted to play a fair few games for the club and hopefully if I can keep going I can get a few more milestones,” he said.