OVER the next few days, we'll be recapping the seasons of every Melbourne listed player in 2018.
Today, we'll be reviewing the seasons of the players numbered 16 through to 20.
Look back at our previous reviews here: No. 1 to No. 5 | No. 6 to No. 10 | No. 11 to No. 15
#16 – Dean Kent
Games played: 5
The small-forward was restricted by injury to just five games in 2018.
Kent kicked six goals across his first two games back for Melbourne, before injuring his hamstring early in the ANZAC Day Eve loss to Richmond.
After the mid-season bye, Kent put in a number of good performances for Casey to warrant a return to the AFL side for the round 22 trip to Perth.
However in his second game back against the Giants in round 23, he injured his AC joint, which meant he took no part in the finals campaign.
He was among the best on the park in the round three win against North Melbourne, booting three goals on a good day out for small forwards.
#17 – Sam Frost
Games played: 13
The maturing key defender played just two games before the mid-season bye and was made to work for an AFL recall with Casey for most of the year.
With Melbourne looking for defensive options after injuries to Jake Lever and Joel Smith, Frost got the call-up in round 16 for the trip to Darwin to play Fremantle.
He didn’t miss a game from that point onwards, forming a strong defensive partnership with Oscar McDonald.
In the stats department, Frost was one of Melbourne’s best in the key defensive numbers. He was ranked third at the club for average intercept marks per game (1.8) and second for average spoils per game (4.8).
Frost’s best performance of the season came against his former side, the GWS Giants, in round 23. Frost had 16 disposals with 370m gained, in addition to seven intercepts.
#18 – Jake Melksham
Games played: 23
The mid-size forward had a fantastic year, kicking 32 goals from his 23 matches.
He had a knack of turning the tide when momentum swung against Melbourne, with fourth quarter goals against West Coast in round 22 and the Hawks in the semi-final sealing wins for the red and blue.
However much of Melksham’s scoreboard impact was indirect, as he finished the season ranked first in the league for goal assists, with 33 overall.
His game of the season undoubtedly came against Carlton in round nine. Melksham had five goals, 21 disposals and 15 score involvements in a performance that was the fifth best of the decade according to AFL Player Ratings.
#19 – Mitch Hannan
Games played: 15
The electrifying small-forward hit the scoreboard in 13 of his 15 matches; finishing the season with 22 goals all up.
Form and a knee issue limited his game time in 2018, however he still produced a handful of quality moments in 2018.
His goal on the run in the elimination final will stand out for many, while his three goals against the Eagles in round 22 helped Melbourne to a win.
Hannan’s performance of the year came in round six against the Bombers, when he booted three goals and recorded 18 disposals.
#20 – Corey Maynard
Games played: 1
The former basketballer played just one senior match in 2018, which came against Geelong in round one. He had a tidy afternoon against the Cats, recording 15 disposals and seven tackles in his second overall game at AFL level.
Maynard played three further VFL games for the season, before a hip complaint effectively ended his year.
