He may not have been named on Melbourne's best last night, but former Port Adelaide premiership player Kane Cornes believes Jake Melksham is the most underrated player in the AFL.

The 27-year-old starred for the Demons in 2018, booting 32 goals and leading the league in goal assists.

Melksham had 14 disposals, a goal and four goal assists against Sydney on Friday night to take his tally to seven goals in four games in 2019.

Despite his low numbers, Cornes believes Melksham's contribution goes beyond the stats sheet and credited his influence in the past year.

“Jake Melksham is the most underrated player in the competition,” Cornes told SEN’s The Captain’s Run.

“I just thought his performance last night was one of the better 14 disposal games I’ve seen.

“Looking through the best players in the paper today, where’s Jake Melksham? He’s not there. Looking at his Brownlow votes, seven in his career … please.”