John Meesen

Infobox afl player NEW


firstname = John
lastname = Meesen
playername = John Meesen
fullname = John Meesen
image capt =
birthdate = birth date and age|1986|6|20|df=y
birthplace =
originalteam = Modewarre Football Club
Geelong Falcons
Adelaide Football Club
draftpick = 8^th overall, 2004
AFL Ade
heightweight = 200cm / 95kg
position = Ruckman
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
currentclub = AFL Mel
guernsey = 26
years = 2005-2007
2008-
clubs = AFL Ade
AFL Mel
games(goals) = 2 (0)
0 (0)
coach = notcoach
coachingteams = notcoach
statsend = Round 21, 2007
careerhighlights =

John Meesen is an Australian rules football player, currently playing for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League. Drafted with pick 8 in 2004, Meesen has had a long wait to play his first senior game for the Adelaide Crows. Playing for Norwood in the South Australian National Football League, Meesen was a leading ruckman in the senior side, but was incapable of surpassing Rhett Biglands, Ben Hudson and Matthew Clarke for a spot in the Crows team. Following Biglands' 2007 season-ending injury in the 2006 Preliminary Final and Clarke's move to St. Kilda, it was thought that Meesen would begin season 2007 as back-up ruckman to Hudson. However an injury-plagued pre-season saw Jonathon Griffin and Ivan Maric move ahead of him in the pecking order.

Meesen finally made his debut in round 20 of 2007 against the Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium in the Sunday twilight fixture. He came in at the expense of Griffin. It was thought that he may have made his debut a week earler in his home town of Geelong against the Cats due to Hudson's club-imposed suspension, but the club decided that having an inexperienced ruckman playing alongside a debut ruckman wouldn't be a suitable situation.

Trade Bait?

Meesen's inability to crack into the AFL side has arisen speculation that he may be traded back to a Victorian club. It was also thought that perhaps the reason for playing Meesen in the AFL is to raise his worth come trade week, however coach Neil Craig denied this, saying he isn't into "gifting" players matches.

On Thursday, 11 October 2007, Meesen was traded to the Melbourne Football Club for Pick 37 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft.

External links

*Melbplayer|ref=15818
*AflRleague|ref=J/John_Meesen.html