Jacob Melling (born 4 April 1995) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Charlestown Azzurri.[1]

Jacob Melling
Melling playing for Western Sydney Wanderers in 2017
Personal information
Full name Jacob Steven Melling
Date of birth (1995-04-04) 4 April 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth Adelaide, Australia
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 8+12 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
Terrigal United
Youth career
Modbury Jets
2010 SASI
2011 AIS
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2014 Adelaide United 9 (0)
2013 Para Hills Knights 8 (1)
2014–2016 Melbourne City 36 (1)
2016–2018 Western Sydney Wanderers 3 (0)
2018–2020 Central Coast Mariners 35 (0)
2021 Terrigal United 2 (0)
2022–2024 Charlestown Azzurri 20 (6)
2024 Woongarrah Wildcats FC
International career
2010–2011 Australia U17 11 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 September 2022
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 4 July 2011

Biography

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Melling attended Saint Paul's College, Gilles Plains. He was raised through the South Australian youth football setups of Modbury Jets and then the South Australian Sports Institute Football Program (SASI) before playing a key part in the South Australian side's championship win in the FFA State Institute Challenge in 2010.[2] Melling was named Player of the Tournament, and was offered a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport Football Program[3] where he then went on to form a mainstay in the heart of the Joeys midfield.[citation needed]

Adelaide United

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On 18 March 2011, it was announced that Adelaide United had signed Melling on for his first professional club contract from the start of 2012.[4]

Melling made his first team debut as a 78th minute substitution in the Round 14 match against Melbourne Heart.[5]

On 15 March 2013, Melling was granted permission to be listed with two clubs[6] so until the end of the end of the 2012–13 season Melling was listed with both Adelaide United and Para Hills Knights. He recorded 8 appearances with Para Hills Knights.[7]

Melbourne City

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On 20 May 2014 it was announced that Melling joined Melbourne City alongside two other youth players, Connor Chapman and James Brown.[8]

Western Sydney Wanderers

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On 12 August 2016, Melling joined Western Sydney Wanderers on a two-year deal together with teammate Jack Clisby.[9] On 2 January 2018, he was released by Western Sydney Wanderers.[10]

Central Coast Mariners

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One day after leaving Western Sydney Wanderers, Melling joined Central Coast Mariners on a half-year deal.[11] Melling was released by the Mariners in September 2020 at the end of the 2019–20 A-League.[12]

Career statistics

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As of 25 October 2014
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Adelaide United 2011–12[13] 9 0 1 0 10 0
2012–13[13] 0 0 0 0
2013–14[13] 0 0 0 0
Total 9 0 1 0 10 0
Para Hills Knights 2013[7] 8 1 8 1
Total 8 1 8 1
Melbourne City 2014–15[13] 1 0 0 0 1 0
Total 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 18 1 0 0 1 0 19 1

References

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  1. ^ @nplsa_hub (29 January 2021). "Jacob Melling has signed for Terrigal FC in the Central Coast League (tier 6)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "SASI takes out FFA State Institute Challenge in Canberra". Football Federation Australia. 31 January 2010. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  3. ^ "Highlights 2010" (PDF), SASI – Sports – Men's Football, SA Sports Institute, archived from the original (PDF) on 22 April 2011, retrieved 9 July 2011, Congratulations also go to Jacob Melling and Ben Garuccio who were offered AIS scholarships for 2011.
  4. ^ "Rini Coolen's Season in Review". Adelaide United FC. A-League. 18 March 2011. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  5. ^ "Reds halt Heart charge". A-League. Football Federation Australia. 4 January 2012. Archived from the original on 10 January 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  6. ^ Migliaccio, Val (15 March 2013). "Adelaide United's Jacob Melling allowed to be listed with two clubs". The Advertiser.
  7. ^ a b "Player statistics for Jacob Melling". Fox Sports Pulse.
  8. ^ "Melbourne Heart FC Captures New Signings". Football Federation Australia. 20 May 2014. Archived from the original on 20 May 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Wanderers sign departing City duo Melling and Clisby". The World Game. SBS. 12 August 2016.
  10. ^ Smithies, Tom (2 January 2018). "Wanderers boss Josep Gombau wields axe as Jumpei Kusukami, Jacob Melling leave club". The Daily Telegraph.
  11. ^ "Mariners sign Jacob Melling". Central Coast Mariners. 3 January 2018.
  12. ^ "Squad update: Five players depart Mariners". Central Coast Mariners FC. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  13. ^ a b c d "Jacob Melling (Melbourne City)". Ultimate A-League.
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