Player Watch #43 Lewis Melican - All Aboard the Melicopter...aka The Melican Brief

[Kennedy Parker]

Lewis Melican

Player Profile
Lewis Melican is a young key defender with enormous promise. The Victorian was rookie-listed by the Sydney Swans in November 2014 and enjoyed a breakthrough 2017 season en route to winning the club’s Rising Star award. He kept St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt to just 10 possessions and one goal in Round 18 to claim an AFL Rising Star nomination. Melican has battled a number of injuries in his time in red and white but didn’t suffer any setbacks in 2019. Draft history: 2015 Rookie Draft selection (Sydney) No. 52.

Lewis Melican

43

Lewis Melican

Age

27

Ht

194cm

Wt

99kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

5.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.0

2star

M

1.0

1star

T

1.0

3star

MG

48.0

1star

D

5.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.0

1star

M

1.0

1star

T

1.0

2star

MG

48.0

1star

D

5.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.0

2star

M

1.0

1star

T

1.0

3star

MG

48.0

1star

DOB: 04 November 1996
DEBUT:2015
DRAFT:2017
RECRUITED FROM: Birregurra (Vic)/Geelong U18

Lewis Melican | AFL

Follow Lewis Melican's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[Dangas]

He was great tonight. Need to keep him given our lack of bigger bodied defenders.

 

[ashep]

I've sprayed Melican for years but he was outstanding tonight and has had a solid year overall.

If we bring in McKay it might push him back in the depth chart but he can definitely be best 22 based on tonight, especially with Rampe likely to need a few rests.

 

[J_Moore]

His best games are really good. They always have been.

Hope his body lets him find some consistency.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I've sprayed Melican for years but he was outstanding tonight and has had a solid year overall.

If we bring in McKay it might push him back in the depth chart but he can definitely be best 22 based on tonight, especially with Rampe likely to need a few rests.

I have a feeling we have valued McKay at less than he values himself. We'll see.

 

[caesar88]

Was superb tonight along with McCartin. They seem to have a good synergy between them. Played well earlier in the year before the injury too. Hopefully he gets a full season injury free next year as he showed he really has what it takes tonight.

Pre-season of 2021, following McCartin & Melican playing the last five games of 2020 together and looking really solid, the club was pumping up their potential partnership. I recall both gave interviews where they spoke about working together. First practice match vs GWS, Melican was BOG. Did his hamstring a week later and the rest is history. But I think that duo is what Horse & co have been aiming for for a long time now.

It all hinges on that hamstring...

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Reports Lewis Melican

43

Lewis Melican

Age

27

Ht

194cm

Wt

99kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

5.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.0

2star

M

1.0

1star

T

1.0

3star

MG

48.0

1star

D

5.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.0

1star

M

1.0

1star

T

1.0

2star

MG

48.0

1star

D

5.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.0

2star

M

1.0

1star

T

1.0

3star

MG

48.0

1star

has signed a one-year deal for 2024

 

[RocketBooster]

One year sounds good for both parties
Happy to have him staying...he was looking good earlier in the season before his injury...had a nice return finals game against Melbourne

 

[Jewelsbon]

Good on you Lewis. Hope those dodgy hammies come good and you have a brilliant 2024 season.

 

[DeathlyAccurate]

Get the feeling he’ll get a big contract extension should he stay fit for most of 2024. Great news!


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[Kiama Chris]

Get the feeling he’ll get a big contract extension should he stay fit for most of 2024. Great news!


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I haven't been Lewis's greatest fan over time but I would be seriously delighted if this was the outcome. He certainly has the physical attributes so if the rest catches up that bit it will be excellent.

 

[caesar88]

Yay!!!

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

I haven't been Lewis's greatest fan over time but I would be seriously delighted if this was the outcome. He certainly has the physical attributes so if the rest catches up that bit it will be excellent.

Same. Best of luck to him.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

If the Melicopter has indeed signed a new contract, expect the Swans media dept to announce it in around …. February.

 

[BloodySwan]

1 year surprises me. Maybe 1yr with triggers?

 

[dosser]

1 year surprises me. Maybe 1yr with triggers?

1 year already triggers enough people in this forum.

 

[wills2g]

When was the last time Melican did a full preseason? There was a lot of promise in the early days - hopefully gets a solid run at it

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

I remember Clarko commenting after we beat Hawthorn a few years back about how good Melican was and how the Swans keep identifying players like him.

I think the only thing that has held back Melican since then is injuries. Fingers crossed he can stay fit. He is a solid defender and can make a good clean pass out of defence, low and fast.

Though I would still prefer one more big backman on our list. If we don’t sign McKay, I could see one of Reid, Bullet or Amartey being primed for defence next year.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

Surprised its just a one year extension. Wonder if that was driven by the club or Lewis.

 

[Bloods86]

Surprised its just a one year extension. Wonder if that was driven by the club or Lewis.

Why surprised? He just finished a lengthy contract in which he struggled to get into and stay in seniors. If it had ended last year he may have been delisted. Maybe 2 years on lower salary given our KPD issues, but 1 is fair.

 

[Swan4Life]

Melican sure aint no pelican as a tall defender. His 2017 is still tattooed into my head, I was so impressed that I thought he would surely cement a KPD spot in our 22 for years to come. But alas, the injuries.

His biggest weakness remains his speed off the mark when trying to stick to a KPF on the lead, with his spoiling fist sometimes finishing just a foot or so short of the marking contest. But overall he is definitely good enough - if he can stay fit.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

Why surprised? He just finished a lengthy contract in which he struggled to get into and stay in seniors. If it had ended last year he may have been delisted. Maybe 2 years on lower salary given our KPD issues, but 1 is fair.

I'm just surprised he didn't have any other clubs interested enough that he could warrant a 2 year contract. He's been good outside of his injury issues.

 

[Jewelsbon]

I'm just surprised he didn't have any other clubs interested enough that he could warrant a 2 year contract. He's been good outside of his injury issues.

Yes he has but unfortunately, his injuries have been a constant issue.
I'd like to think if he manages a full season, he'll get a big extension next year.

 

[RilesMacca]

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Now official!

 

[Kiama Chris]

Now official!

Sounds like there might be a trigger in there too. Although I haven't been his greatest fan in the past I wish him every success going forward. Cheer cheer Lewis.