On 06/06/2014 at 04:56, stevethemanjordan said:

I'm sure it's been mentioned somewhere on here, but that passage of play last weekend with Toumpas in which he ran from the left side of Jimmy all the way to the right to not only shepherd, but knock Ebert to the ground and then run on and receive the ball was the most significant and exciting thing I've seen from a player at the MFC for sometime. And he is a first year player.

Sacrificial acts for the team like those in which Salem regularly executes have been sorely missed at our club for far too long and I'll go as far to say have contributed and filtered through to the rest of the players and the environment.

Never in years gone by would Brad Green, Cam Bruce, Col Sylvia, Moloney, etc ever even consider taking out a player in manner in which Salem did in that passage of play. They all would have stayed boundary side of Toumpas screaming for the forward handball until the youngster had to pass it for fear of getting a mouthful from a 'senior leader'.

The fact that Salem's instinct was to shepherd first, then push forward as an option is something that will stick in my mind for a long long time. To have that sense of team oriented play matched with the other unbelievable gifts and attributes he possesses is astounding.

Salem and Viney both have that instinctive team first attitude. It's an absolute gift to have them at our club.

Bring on the new breed..

Not only that, but he then nailed a difficult shot with ease. Loved it.

How composed was this guy kicking that winning goal. Isn't this every boyhood dream??

  On 15/06/2014 at 11:18, jane02 said:

How composed was this guy kicking that winning goal. Isn't this every boyhood dream??

doing it in a grand final is better

Don't forget his smother that gave Watts the goal.

He has cream and steel, as proved by the goal; but he has guts and a work-ethic which the smother out of nowhere came from.

Cucumber when it matters.

I don't think I could have watched had it been Frawley, Dawes or pretty much any other player taking the shot in the same position. With Salem, I wouldn't say I was relaxed watching him run in yet I had little doubt he'd kick it. He's a special talent.

the ball couldn't have been in better hands, apart from Watts

  On 15/06/2014 at 13:25, Sylvia Saint said:

I don't think I could have watched had it been Frawley, Dawes or pretty much any other player taking the shot in the same position. With Salem, I wouldn't say I was relaxed watching him run in yet I had little doubt he'd kick it. He's a special talent.

I would back Dawes to drill it, but I agree with the gist. He inspires a level of confidence that is rare.

The crunching tackle in the last wasnt too bad either.

Could this be his week for a rising star nomination? Not the most possessions/goals/fantasy points ever seen, but he was a game-changer from the moment he shed the green vest with his pressure, second efforts, confidence, and obviously his winning goal.

Is Kent eligable for the rising star?

  On 15/06/2014 at 22:22, Good Times Grimes said:

Could this be his week for a rising star nomination? Not the most possessions/goals/fantasy points ever seen, but he was a game-changer from the moment he shed the green vest with his pressure, second efforts, confidence, and obviously his winning goal.

I would like to think so. He deserves to get it at some point, as does JKH

  On 15/06/2014 at 11:31, Wilbur said:

doing it in a grand final is better

He will get his chance

  On 15/06/2014 at 22:22, Good Times Grimes said:

Could this be his week for a rising star nomination? Not the most possessions/goals/fantasy points ever seen, but he was a game-changer from the moment he shed the green vest with his pressure, second efforts, confidence, and obviously his winning goal.

Wouldn't surprise me, some of his defensive efforts were outstanding.

But the Doggies are more feel-good than we are, so Bontempelli will probably get it.

  On 15/06/2014 at 22:28, Mike Nolan said:

Is Kent eligable for the rising star?

Should be 20yo in Feb 2014 played 3 or 4 games I think...

Where is the "framed autographed signed Salem kick limited edition" thing?

Geez this kid is a ripper. I really think he will become very, very, very special.

He is one of the few players that has aggression/determination combined with poise/polish and sublime skills.

He loves doing the team things and backs himself in when it's his time to go.

The pick 2 trade that involved Salem and Tyson will go a long way to bringing this club a flag in the future.

Take your time son, listen, learn and execute, I will back you in every time.

Christian, I love you.

  On 16/06/2014 at 00:21, Lace Out said:

Take your time son, listen, learn and execute, I will back you in every time.

Christian, I love you.

Okay - now you are getting a little creepy

HAHA, in isolation perhaps.

I am excited to have drafted a 'non stereotypical' Melbourne footballer, and, I just don't know how to control my feelings.

This is new to me.

  On 06/06/2014 at 05:03, Gorgoroth said:

Also Toumpas knowing the best action was to stop and call Salem forward for the chip over.

was going to say this exactly

  On 15/06/2014 at 22:28, Mike Nolan said:

Is Kent eligable for the rising star?

didnt he play 15 games last year, so i think that means he is not available

  On 15/06/2014 at 22:28, Mike Nolan said:

Is Kent eligable for the rising star?

  On 15/06/2014 at 23:38, jnrmac said:

Should be 20yo in Feb 2014 played 3 or 4 games I think...

  On 16/06/2014 at 00:54, Mad_Melbourne said:

didnt he play 15 games last year, so i think that means he is not available

Kent is ineligible on multiple grounds. He played 15 games in 2013, which rules him out, and even if he had played fewer than 10 games his VFL suspension this season would rule him out from winning the award.

"To be eligible to be nominated for the award, a player must be younger than 21 years of age on 1 January of the award year and have played 10 or fewer senior games before the beginning of the season. A player who is suspended during the season is not eligible to win the award, however is still eligible for nomination."

  On 16/06/2014 at 01:08, Good Times Grimes said:

Kent is ineligible on multiple grounds. He played 15 games in 2013, which rules him out, and even if he had played fewer than 10 games his VFL suspension this season would rule him out from winning the award.

"To be eligible to be nominated for the award, a player must be younger than 21 years of age on 1 January of the award year and have played 10 or fewer senior games before the beginning of the season. A player who is suspended during the season is not eligible to win the award, however is still eligible for nomination."

does VFL suspension count? would that be the same for the brownlow?

  On 16/06/2014 at 01:21, Mad_Melbourne said:

does VFL suspension count? would that be the same for the brownlow?

I'd say so, though not 100% certain

I had not the slightest doubt Salem would nail that goal, he was fresh, he was dead in front, he is a beautiful kick and he's a good competitor.

Having said that the call for him to be a rising star is premature I reckon. My recollection is he's played 2 full games and the rest as sub. In his 2 full games he's really failed to have much of an impact although he's done some good things in them. He was poor against Collingwood and I was surprised he was retained ahead of JKH but there is no doubt when he comes on as a sub when the game has slowed a bit he's very dangerous.

But he needs to play some full games in a row and I reckon he'll go to Casey in the next few weeks. The kid is a real talent, his tackle on the members wing in the last was very important, his smother for Watts goal terrific and of course the kick for goal. But his defensive running needs to improve and I wonder about his stamina given his interrupted pre season.

We've got a beauty and in Roos we've got someone who will use him for best advantage in both the short and long term.