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MELBOURNE has sent pick No.25 to Essendon in exchange for Jake Melksham in the Demons' first deal of the NAB Trade Period.

Melksham, who has played 114 games with the Bombers, has been earmarked for a half-back role at his new club.

The Demons are hoping to add consistency to the 24-year-old's game through assistant coaches Simon Goodwin and Brendan McCartney, who have worked with him at the Bombers.

"During this trade period we were looking for players who could come in and play straight away and Jake was identified as a potential player that fit into that category," Demons football manager Josh Mahony said on the club's website.

"We identified a role for him, which is off half-back, which he played the last three or four games at Essendon.

"We think that Jake will add some competitiveness and run-and-carry to our defence.

"(We) backed his ability to add some consistency to his game, due to a change in environment and specific role." 

Melksham was selected with pick No.10 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft and was a Rising Star nominee that year.

Bombers list and recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro said the trade was a win-win for both clubs.

"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 four, 23, 25, 41, 59, 77, 95, 113 ahead of next month's draft.