He's just been given an out.

They've always been a fickle bunch anyway. How often do you hear the phrase, "I'm an Essendon supporter...but I don't really follow the footy."

It's getting so cliche but the like button times 1000 there.

Except you don't hear it at the start of the year when they are 4-0 but hear it plenty when their July/August slide is on.

Too early for the comparisons??

I hope he is better than Phil Clearly.

How is this kid going so far this Pre Season? Anyone think he will crack a game this year??

I must admit I wasn't too keen on the idea of picking up Salem at Pick 9 but now he is a Melbourne player I will support him all the way. I have full faith we will develop out kids much better now.

Salem will pleasantly surprise.

Only knows one way to go about it and thats 100% flat out.

Great skills to boot.

How is this kid going so far this Pre Season? Anyone think he will crack a game this year??

I must admit I wasn't too keen on the idea of picking up Salem at Pick 9 but now he is a Melbourne player I will support him all the way. I have full faith we will develop out kids much better now.

Nice to see that you weren't keen but have listed him as one of your 'favourite players' regardless! Although i have only watched video clips, the training reports suggests that he trains hard and is an elite user of the ball. I am hoping that he builds his frame a bit and can crack a game even as a sub. Only thing standing in that way however is that he is not the only midfielder that we recruited and the others seem more logical to slot in if fit, due to their mature bodies.

Who reckons we should've picked up Freeman instead?

Really. We need to make this thread into a Salem v Freeman before one game has even been played?

I never intended to make this thread into a Salem v Freeman and I don't think it should be..

I just want to know how Salem is progressing so far this summer.

The Kid was a good under age player.

Can we let him play at least one game.

By the end of 2015 we might have an idea.

My hope is that he is fit for 2014 and plays good games down at Casey and that he can put pressure on the senior team for selection later in the year.

That way I know that the seniors are playing at the level they should be, he is a good enough talent that is trying to force his way into the AFL team, and that he is developing as a player.

Who reckons we should've picked up Freeman instead?

Andddddd we're away....

I wouldn't be too concerned about this year but I think that in our first round picks in 2012 & 2013 we have 200 game players in Toumpas and Salem. You could argue about about whether we should have picked somebody else (as we do on this forum) but I think they were both solid picks.

Do you think the "barmy army" would chant

ONWARD CHRISTIAN SAALEM

I never intended to make this thread into a Salem v Freeman and I don't think it should be..

I just want to know how Salem is progressing so far this summer.

Sorry, I did not mean you, I was meant to quote the message above my post.

I wouldn't be too concerned about this year but I think that in our first round picks in 2012 & 2013 we have 200 game players in Toumpas and Salem. You could argue about about whether we should have picked somebody else (as we do on this forum) but I think they were both solid picks.

Agree, it will be interesting to see them both develop as I think (with superficial knowledge at this stage) that they seem similar types of players...

Roos won't rush him to be ready if he's not ready.

That's all I'll say on this matter.

Roos won't rush him to be ready if he's not ready.

That's all I'll say on this matter.

Playing in the Scorps for 2014 could be Salem's Lot

Playing in the Scorps for 2014 could be Salem's Lot

You prepared to stake anything on that?

Dud pick, hasn't even played a game. We should trade him for Heppell.

(double points for spinning together two ridiculous hyperbole spouts in one line)

But seriously, what I liked about all the descriptions of Salem was the presence of good skills and the absence of significant weaknesses, so we should at least have a solid player who can contribute.

Who reckons we should've picked up Freeman instead?

According to a mate of mine, Freeman is tearing up the track down at Collingwood.

I'd take Salem over Freeman every day of the week though, skills pay the bills.

Dud pick, hasn't even played a game. We should trade him for Heppell.

(double points for spinning together two ridiculous hyperbole spouts in one line)

But seriously, what I liked about all the descriptions of Salem was the presence of good skills and the absence of significant weaknesses, so we should at least have a solid player who can contribute.

According to a mate of mine, Freeman is tearing up the track down at Collingwood.

I'd take Salem over Freeman every day of the week though, skills pay the bills.

Every club during every pre-season tout their first draft pick as tearing up the track with no significant weakness. They all say how well they are improving and making in roads, they are building a good exciting environment... etc etc etc.

Dud pick, hasn't even played a game. We should trade him for Heppell.

(double points for spinning together two ridiculous hyperbole spouts in one line)

But seriously, what I liked about all the descriptions of Salem was the presence of good skills and the absence of significant weaknesses, so we should at least have a solid player who can contribute.

and also the willingness to work hard both ways, to tackle hard & a good fitness base?

You prepared to stake anything on that?

lamea stuw from de 'ot plate

As mentioned before Salem reminds me of a young Adem Yze

Yze waited til Rd13 before he made his debut.

Salem will play this year but I think we need to be patient

Give the kid a break for god sake

First pre season

Has been ill

Has great skills

Also and I must stress this point .... We actually have players that may keep him out of the side

Don't put the kid on a pedestal yet, he hasn't even played a VFL game