WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - CHRISTIAN SALEM

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Salem looks like Mr Bean a bit I reckon

He's 18.

[DeeSpencer 25,475]

It ain't a load of trash, and you've taken the whole thing out of context Master. We were talking about the body shapes of Salem and Hannebery and that's where I made the comment.

Nobody is talking about the relevance of Salem's biceps, no need to make out that we are.

Relax.

And the body shapes look similar to me. Similar height and neither would be classified as thin builds. Hannebery had a little more definition in his upper body but in no means was a huge strong muscled kid like Tapscott. Salem and Hannebery both had strong hips and legs. Hannebery has amazing fitness so that's a difference but both look strong in the lower body. Not to mention whilst doing year 12 Hannebery was far from trim and with low skin folds. He talked about it in an interview recently and how when he went up to Sydney throughout the year he got a serve from McVeigh.

I'm not all for the Hannebery comparison as I think Hannebery got more ball but didn't use it as well where as Salem gets less but uses it better. Both are physical. Both have decent speed. Both are left footers but that's about it. Hannebery worked on his skill and inside game. Salem needs to work on his accumulating through gut running and clearance game.

At the end of the day Salem is very hard to characterize. He isn't the pure silk in close and space of Dal Santo although he has some of that. He isn't the physical, running accumulator in Hannebery. He isn't the strong marking midfield with super power aspect of his game like Sylvia or Wingard. He isn't pure speed and skill like a Lewis Jetta. And he isn't a bash and crash midfielder like Viney. And comparing anyone to Hodge is just crazy.

I think it's why we are having all this debate about body shape and things because we are trying to work out exactly how he plays and put an AFL player to his name when really the answer is his does a little bit of every thing and could become very much his own player. Different aspects of his skill will translate to AFL at a different rate is the likelihood.

[Hannibal 5,814]

Please, both Steve and I aren't questioning whether he will fill out, I'm certain he will. His body does have natural tone from the few 'action' shots I've seen, and like Fyfe who was smaller it gives a good indication of potential growth. Look at Morton 07, not that we were to know, but there was no definition at all.

But on topic, we were merely referring that he doesn't resemble Dan Hannebery at all.

Who said they're the same player ? Online some have compared Salem to Hannebery. Surely you've read this ? I merely said that Salem should become as good a player as Hannebery and then you spouted rubbish about Hannebery being a completely different body type. Salem's core is also very strong. Not as much rubbish as Steve though, who has posted some of the greatest crap I've ever read on here.

Salem has him covered for skill while Hannebery was a better runner. In time at AFL level I don't see huge differences in them as players, especially as Salem will be developed the Sydney way. Time will tell.

Salem wins contested footy and will develop more of an inside game. I'd hardly call Hannebery an inside beast. If anyone thinks there's much difference in their natural core strength they're full of it.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Who said they're the same player ? Online some have compared Salem to Hannebery. Surely you've read this ? I merely said that Salem should become as good a player as Hannebery and then you spouted rubbish about Hannebery being a completely different body type. Salem's core is also very strong. Not as much rubbish as Steve though, who has posted some of the greatest crap I've ever read on here.

Salem has him covered for skill while Hannebery was a better runner. In time at AFL level I don't see huge differences in them as players, especially as Salem will be developed the Sydney way. Time will tell.

Salem wins contested footy and will develop more of an inside game. I'd hardly call Hannebery an inside beast. If anyone thinks there's much difference in their natural core strength they're full of it.

Your desire to make your opinion sound more convincing than the rest by claiming mine as 'the greatest crap you've ever read' shows how big that ego of yours can get Ben. I agree with much of what you post, but you still have an unfortunate knack of trying to belittle the opinion's of others on here in order for you to stand out. Whether you're conscious of it or not doesn't matter. It's plain for all to see with the language you choose.

As for my first comment, I regret saying that Salem's body shape resembles that of an ectomorphs as it's not the entire truth. There's a distinct difference between someone like Morton and Salem. And then Salem and Freeman. We've seen some skinny guys find it surprisingly easy to put on weight. Fyfe is an example.

Even within the Ectomorph, Mesomorph and Endomorph model there are still extremes and inbetweens. And then of course cases like Fyfe who as a skinny youngster, has put on considerable size. I've started something I didn't mean, and I'm not for one minute saying Salem's body shape will effect his career. And I do believe he'll fill out nicely.

What I should have said was Salem's body seems to be more Ectomorph like than Hannebery, which was in reference to what Arrow was saying. Nothing else. Not, he is and Ectomorph. Perhaps I shouldn't have said anything at all..

Back to the thread. I'm a strong believer that Salem was a sound choice at that pick and will bring a lot to the footy club.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

Super excited the Dees drafted Salem - absolute standout for me in the AIS Vs. Collingwood Reserves this year, playing against mature bodies (where has that thread with the video gone?)

Easily the equal of Kelly or Aish as pure midfielders - Excellent decision to trade down, get Tyson & draft this guy 10/10

Can easily see us winning 5 games the first 10 this year.

I reckon Collingwood wanted him ahead of Freeman at 10 too..... Anyone think otherwise?

[jabberwocky 2,301]

I reckon Collingwood wanted him ahead of Freeman at 10 too..... Anyone think otherwise

I have been told by a source inside the pies that Salem was rated ahead of Freeman.

Also was informed that the 2 late choices they made they had rated far ahead of where they were taken.

Make of that what you will.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

I have been told by a source inside the pies that Salem was rated ahead of Freeman.

Also was informed that the 2 late choices they made they had rated far ahead of where they were taken.

Make of that what you will.

I think in general most clubs' late choices would be ranked by those clubs a fair way ahead of where they were taken, if that makes sense. The top ten or twenty of most clubs would be similar, but after that they would start to vary greatly I would imagine, so the chance of those guys being available is far greater. Could be wrong, that is how I would imagine it would happen.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

I have been told by a source inside the pies that Salem was rated ahead of Freeman.

Music to my ears....I didn't have any inside info, but I could tell from Derek Hine's expression after calling out Freeman's name that he was not an overly happy pappy. What I love the most about that, is that the Pies must have been holding out hope for Salem right to the last moment - and that make's us getting Salem all the more sweeter.

Edited November 24, 2013 by Roosy's Bruisers

[dazzledavey36 54,283]

Music to my ears....I didn't have any inside info, but I could tell from Derek Hine's expression after calling out Freeman's name that he was not an overly happy pappy. What I love the most about that, is that the Pies must have been holding out hope for Salem right to the last moment - and that make's us getting Salem all the more sweeter.

Rubbish

Hine is just as rapt getting Freeman then Salem. Both will be good players. Unless he comes out and says that he wasn't overly happy pappy then you cant just make a judgment from face expressions.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

Rubbish

Hine is just as rapt getting Freeman then Salem. Both will be good players. Unless he comes out and says that he wasn't overly happy pappy then you cant just make a judgment from face expressions.

Yes I can

[rpfc 28,262]

Yes I can

You sure can.

You sure can.

[Jarka 767]

Disposal under pressure is amazing - This year he kicked a clutch goal from 50m to put Dragons in front. While regularly when he has the ball, play seems to slow down as he picks the best option. Best kick i ve ever played with.

Can get boot to ball quickly but often doesn't need to

Thanks!

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Rubbish

Hine is just as rapt getting Freeman then Salem. Both will be good players. Unless he comes out and says that he wasn't overly happy pappy then you cant just make a judgment from face expressions.

Not sure where anyone said hine was unhappy with Freeman.

[Dee Dee 1,105]

Disposal under pressure is amazing - This year he kicked a clutch goal from 50m to put Dragons in front. While regularly when he has the ball, play seems to slow down as he picks the best option. Best kick i ve ever played with.

Can get boot to ball quickly but often doesn't need to

Interesting observation, especially the bit about play seeming to slow down etc.

Many years ago Martin Flanagan wrote an excellent article on Robert Flower pointing out those same attributes!

I'm not saying the kid's going to be the next Robby Flower but having seen a couple of his APS games I hold out hope that he may well be quite special!

(And he's no di#k head - just the opposite.)

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

Not sure where anyone said hine was unhappy with Freeman.

Let me rephrase it a little so as to avoid confusion - Hine had a hint of defeat written on his face, the expression that you see on supporters faces when they leave the ground in disgust 10 mins before the final siren sounds, all the while trying to hide it by making it look like they are just going to buy a pie & chips.

[Nasher 33,607]

Not sure where anyone said hine was unhappy with Freeman.

In the post dazzler quoted?

[jnrmac 20,055]

Ectomorph, schmectomorph. I don't care if his ancestors roamed the planet 100 million years ago but, whatever the case, this is a ringing endorsement of Salem that compares him with Pendlebury.

Interesting to read profiles of both Salem and Kelly. Both reviews come from the Zebras and hence would be considered 'favourable' to their own players but on reading both and knowing nothing else about them you would take Salem every time. Interesting.

Edited November 24, 2013 by jnrmac

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Music to my ears....I didn't have any inside info, but I could tell from Derek Hine's expression after calling out Freeman's name that he was not an overly happy pappy. What I love the most about that, is that the Pies must have been holding out hope for Salem right to the last moment - and that make's us getting Salem all the more sweeter.

Have been told by someone who works closely with Hines in recruiting that on the night of the draft he was battling with a severe case of gout in his right toe. I'm not certain, but I reckon it would be safe to assume that the facial expression made during the pies selection 10 call was attributed to the sudden and intense pain one feels when attacked with gout.

Edited November 24, 2013 by stevethemanjordan

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

Have been told by someone who works closely with Hines in recruiting that on the night of the draft he was battling with a severe case of gout in his right toe. I'm not certain, but I reckon it would be safe to assume that the facial expression made during the pies selection 10 call was attributed to the sudden and intense pain one feels when attacked with gout.

Which would have been triggered by his disappointment....emotions have a way of doing that.

Being trumped by your protege would too.

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

Interesting to read profiles of both Salem and Kelly. Both reviews come from the Zebras and hence would be considered 'favourable' to their own players but on reading both and knowing nothing else about them you would take Salem every time. Interesting.

Yes, Kelly's profile reminds me of a former light bodied, running machine who also lacked kicking penetration. I think we may have chosen him with our first pick a few years ago, but he doesn't play for us anymore. Can't remember his name

http://truezebras.net/2013/11/23/dragons-draft-profile-josh-kelly/

[jnrmac 20,055]

Yes, Kelly's profile reminds me of a former light bodied, running machine who also lacked kicking penetration. I think we may have chosen him with our first pick a few years ago, but he doesn't play for us anymore. Can't remember his name

http://truezebras.net/2013/11/23/dragons-draft-profile-josh-kelly/

Exactly what I thought! I think his initials were T$

What was interesting to me is that it didn't have the glowing, drooling description of Kelly that the mock draft descriptions had and that morons like Barrett said would come back to bite Melbourne. Time will tell but here are two descriptions given by someone who watches them both week in week out and while both are good I reckon the Salem description is a lot more favourable and glowing.

Edited November 24, 2013 by jnrmac

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Which would have been triggered by his disappointment....emotions have a way of doing that. Being trumped by your protege would too.

Just playing RB.

Maybe he was disappointed. We'll never know.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

Just playing RB.

Maybe he was disappointed. We'll never know.

Yeah we'll never know about the gout, because he doesn't have it.

As for Derek, everytime I see Salem hitting up Hogan on the lead I will forever remember the day that we got one up on Collingwood at the draft table.....Trust me, we did.

Edited November 24, 2013 by Roosy's Bruisers

[rpfc 28,262]

Why don't we leave the jumper thumping until the kid does something?

[jabberwocky 2,301]

In the post dazzler quoted?

Yeah sort of I spose. Hine rated Salem above Freeman and they were hoping we would go the other way. Pretty comfortable with the source

It matters not now. Thier draft position counts for nothing. They are first year players having achieved nothing in Afl footy with everything to prove.