With the AFL National Draft due to be held tomorrow evening, I'm staggered that there isn't a separate thread on Sandringham Dragons midfielder Christian Salem, especially as it's starting to sound like he's the one we're going to select with pick 9.

Peter Ryan covers MFC for the AFL site and this tweet from him suggests we might go for Salem ahead of Freeman

@AFL_petryan: @thaintrain bit wary on the freeman hype. Our draft expert reckons Christian Salem a big chance. Ideally they get a player ready to go.

Salem... Skilled, evasive, smart... light on right now (needs a pre season). I still prefer Freeman but can see why Salem appeals.

Classic Swans & Hawks style left footed mid.

What does Salem have over Sheed. Sheed will also be available at pick 9!

agreed ... I think clear top 7 then Freeman, Salem & Sheed. Sheed is bigger, as skilled and has that long left foot kick. Not disappointed if D Sheed is #9

Sheed is an inside mid tho, of which we have completely rebuilt over summer.

Salem, who AFL.com.au draft expert Cal Twomey reckons we will select, or Freeman both add some outside skills to the likes of Vince, Blease and Toumpas, with Barry also that sort if he can develop as you would hope he will.

We desperately need run and carry mids. Salem is that, with an Yze-like left boot.

With respect to Ryan, we would not care if Pick 9 is ready to go, we will pick who we think will become the better player down the track because that is the point of all this.

With the AFL National Draft due to be held tomorrow evening, I'm staggered that there isn't a separate thread on Sandringham Dragons midfielder Christian Salem, especially as it's starting to sound like he's the one we're going to select with pick 9.

Peter Ryan covers MFC for the AFL site and this tweet from him suggests we might go for Salem ahead of Freeman

There was a thread where we talked about Salem. Can't seem to find it, but a lot people including myself commented that he caught the eye from the AIS Vs Collingwood Reserves game video highlights.

With respect to Ryan, we would not care if Pick 9 is ready to go, we will pick who we think will become the better player down the track because that is the point of all this.

I completely agree with rpfc on this point. It would be an ideal situation to pick up some body 'ready to go' however the Club has made provision with Cross, Vince, etc so that this criteria does not comprimise what should be our preferred goal to get the best available player in the long term.

With the AFL National Draft due to be held tomorrow evening, I'm staggered that there isn't a separate thread on Sandringham Dragons midfielder Christian Salem,

Here it is: http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/34824-the-christian-salem-or-nathan-freeman-thread/

Just a combined thread. That's all.

Anyone know where to find the thread that had video of the AIS V's Collingwood Reserves highlights from the game in the middle of the year? Or has it been deleted?

For anybody interested, that vision best demonstrates why we would go with Salem if we do - he was exceptional against AFL quality players, and a clear standout.

Yes he may not be as huge as the other boys, but if you look at his muscle definition it actually isn't that bad. Will be a very good player and definitely cannot go wrong in picking him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwVSiHjSzCQ

I think the biggest tick for him is his exquisite left foot he has. Can also sidestep and just looks silky

Based on my very limited knowledge of the players we are likely to be choosing from he is the one I like most.

Based on history there will be worse players picked before him and better ones picked after.

What does Salem have over Sheed. Sheed will also be available at pick 9!

A much better kick, for one.

Has a few of the most-desired attributes:

- can win his own footy

- can run

- has very good disposal skills

- hard worker

- is smart

From what I have seen of Sheed, he doesn't actually win contests, as much as gets the ball in close near them.

His disposal isn't great either, with him doing a lot of kicking to position as opposed to spotting up a target.

This is turning into a very interesting early draft, whereas it looked a little while ago, to be set in stone.

If we pick Salem, we should give him guernsey #3. That way we'll have a Christian and a Lyon to compare. If the Christian beats the Lyon I'm sure we'd all be happy.

And I'm really looking forward to the photo of him training around witches hats so the media can use the headline "Salem witch trials".

If we pick Salem, we should give him guernsey #3. That way we'll have a Christian and a Lyon to compare. If the Christian beats the Lyon I'm sure we'd all be happy.

And I'm really looking forward to the photo of him training around witches hats so the media can use the headline "Salem witch trials".

Good get.

What about "Salem Burning" as a headline. Or "Salem Hangs around until pick 9". Or "Salem casts a spell over Demons".

Too soon guys...

Have heard a whisper that Dogs are looking at Bontempelli. If they take him, Aish could slide to 6 and then it gets very interesting. If Lions then take the tall forward you could have Scharenberg, Freeman and Salem all there at 9.

Have heard a whisper that Dogs are looking at Bontempelli. If they take him, Aish could slide to 6 and then it gets very interesting. If Lions then take the tall forward you could have Scharenberg, Freeman and Salem all there at 9.

Take all 3 and hope nobody notices.

Yes he may not be as huge as the other boys, but if you look at his muscle definition it actually isn't that bad. Will be a very good player and definitely cannot go wrong in picking him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwVSiHjSzCQ

I watched this and i wasn't impressed..

E.g. If you watch Dunstan's highlights it looks like he has an elite handball and about 4 out of every 5 kicks are well weighted to the advantage of his team-mates.

The highlights clearly do not show how good Salem maybe, but if this is all i had to go by he would not be in the top 15 for me (Dunstan would be way higher).

In future the AFL should load better highlights so that we can really see the quality of a player - the amount of highlights showing a certain player kicking the ball, but cutting before you see the outcome of the kick (facepalm)!!

I can't wait for this to be over. No doubt I will be disappointed in who we take anyway. Sheed has firmed as my favorite now. He looks the safer bet. I don't want Freeman and forever be tracking how Salem/Acres/Bontempelli/Sharenberg etc are traveling. Can't wait for the day when drafting is just recruiting kids and not trying to fill holes.

If we pick Salem, we should give him guernsey #3. That way we'll have a Christian and a Lyon to compare. If the Christian beats the Lyon I'm sure we'd all be happy.

And I'm really looking forward to the photo of him training around witches hats so the media can use the headline "Salem witch trials".

Good get.

What about "Salem Burning" as a headline. Or "Salem Hangs around until pick 9". Or "Salem casts a spell over Demons".

smoking salem

seriously ,a foot skilled speed merchant might be my wish

we've got foot soldiers but need damaging players

Have heard a whisper that Dogs are looking at Bontempelli. If they take him, Aish could slide to 6 and then it gets very interesting. If Lions then take the tall forward you could have Scharenberg, Freeman and Salem all there at 9.

What the Herald Sun? Hardly a whisper when its sent to 680000 people

Have heard a whisper that Dogs are looking at Bontempelli. If they take him, Aish could slide to 6 and then it gets very interesting. If Lions then take the tall forward you could have Scharenberg, Freeman and Salem all there at 9.

A whisper that's been all through the media for the last 24 hours..?