Jesse Mellor Draft Profile

Geelong FalconsForward-Midfielder

#4

Jesse Mellor

height: 185cm

weight:

D.O.B: 04-01-2007

Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys

Snapshot
Analysis
Summary

SNAPSHOT: “An unpredictable forward who can also pinch hit in the midfield, boasting a vice-like set of hands and terrific contested craft.” – Adrian Dixon

Another exciting mid-forward option from the Geelong Falcons, Cats Next Generation Academy (NGA) member Jesse Mellor is a powerful prospect who’s strong hands makes him a dangerous option both inside 50 and when pinch-hitting through midfield.

The son of former West Adelaide stalwart and Richmond assistant coach Greg, Mellor junior was eligible for the Geelong NGA as he was born in Thailand due to his father’s occupation. He began his journey with the Geelong West Giants in the Under 9s and was quickly identified as a standout.

Season 2022 saw him start the campaign in the Under 18s before running out the year as a bottom-ager in the Under 16s. At season’s end, he was named in the Barwon Cats Under 15 squad in the V-Line Cup, where his exploits included a three-goal performance in the second game.

Mellor’s top aged Under 16 season was jam-packed – he continued his good form with Geelong West and was rewarded with the competition’s best and fairest, however fell short of team success, playing in a losing grand final. Mellor would also play for the Geelong Falcons Under 16 side where he managed four goals from two games. Mellor would also make an appearance for Vic Country in the Diversity All Star game.

After a strong start to 2024 for Geelong West’s Under 18s, Mellor would make his senior debut for the club under the guidance of his father, kicking a goal in the process. He would then make a much anticipated Under 18 debut for the Falcons in May, before representing Vic Country’s Futures side against New South Wales in August.

After a steady rather than spectacular start to his top-age campaign this year, Mellor would put himself into draft calculations with his six-goal haul – four of them in the last quarter – for the Vic Country team against the Young Guns in early May. From each game starting onwards, Mellor would hit the scoreboard with his best efforts being a five-goal haul against Tasmania, and a match winning four-goal haul against the Bendigo Pioneers.

Mellor also stepped up on the representative stage, booting eight goals from four games for Vic Country at the National Championships, including two three-goal bags resulting in All-Australian selection. This was followed by making two appearances for Geelong’s VFL team. Mellor finished his season with recognition in the Team of the Year for both Rookie Me Central and the Coates Talent League.

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STRENGTHS:

+ Clean hands
+ Consistency
+ Overhead marking
+ Power
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Strength

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Decision making
- Speed

Mellor’s consistency with his goalkicking is a hallmark of his game. In all bar two of the 21 games he played in 2025 - whether that be for the Falcons, Geelong VFL or Vic Country - he hit the scoreboard with at least one goal. In at least half of those games, he kicked multiple goals. His scoreboard impact was duly noted in big time performances, especially with his six-goal effort for Country against the Young Guns, and the four-goal haul in Wildcard Round to help snatch victory from the Bendigo Pioneers.

Mellor’s hands are also quite strong, especially when it comes to his marking in the contest and overhead. This was shown in the Vic Country game against the Allies where he took several overhead marks which led to another match winning three-goal performance. Throughout the season he displayed his clean hands and strength to out-body his opponents, which led to creating many scoring opportunities for his teammates, while also using his athleticism to be a hard matchup in contests - either in the air or on the deck.

While Mellor's game is sound when it comes to his forward craft, he can easily improve in plenty of areas. His decision making is one of them, especially when it comes to being sucked into the contest - morso applying to his midfield craft. This was seen on many occasions when he played his games at VFL level, which was expected given his keenness to make an impression.

However, this can easily be worked on once he gains more experience at such levels. A goal for the Falcons' coaching staff throughout his time was to improve his transition play and this brought about a move into the midfield for his development. While he may lack the raw leg speed to go into the midfield more often, this can be an area for Mellor to work on, too.

While his defensive positioning can be developed as well, Mellor's tackle pressure improved throughout the season especially in the quarter final against the Gippsland Power where he managed seven tackles, keeping the Falcons in the game all day and nearly getting them over the line. That kind of competitiveness and ability to step up when the game is on the line underlines Mellor's strong potential.

DRAFT RANGE: 30-45

SUMMARY:

Mellor’s eligibility for the Cats’ Next Generation Academy has given something for the Geelong faithful to be excited about for the years to come. For a player of his calibre to be available via those ties isn’t something that Geelong has necessarily been used to over the past decade, instead boasting a rich father-son history. Expect a bid to be made towards the start of the second round, however the Cats will be hoping he slips, especially past pick 54 meaning no bid will need to be matched for him.

AFL U18 Championships

Season	Team	K	HB	D	M	CP	UP	T	HO	CLR	I50	R50	GL	GM	K	H	D	M	HO	T	G	DC
2025	Vic Country	35	9	44	18	23	20	10	0	0	9	0	8	4	8.8	2.3	11.0	4.5	0.0	2.5	2.0	61
Total	-	35	9	44	18	23	20	10	0	0	9	0	8	4	8.8	2.3	11.0	4.5	0.0	2.5	2.0	61

Coates Talent League Boys

Season	Team	K	HB	D	M	CP	UP	T	CLR	I50	R50	GL	GM	K	H	D	M	T	G	DC
2024	Geelong Falcons	71	55	126	32	0	0	23	0	20	0	10	11	6.5	5.0	11.5	2.9	2.1	0.9	47
2025	Geelong Falcons	131	87	218	56	107	115	56	29	46	3	24	13	10.1	6.7	16.8	4.3	4.3	1.8	82
Total	-	202	142	344	88	107	115	79	29	66	3	34	24	8.4	5.9	14.3	3.7	3.3	1.4	129