Christian Salem

[dazzledavey36 49,134]

Some serious questions need to be asked in why this is kid is playing when he is clearly struggling out there. He has been gifted games when the likes of Toumpas was dropped straight away.

I have that he will hopefully develop into a good player. But I must admit my personal opinion he hasn't shown why he was worthy of pick 9. Yes he has good kicking skills but he looks sluggish and has struggled in every game bar Port Adelaide to get into games.

In 12 games he has got over 9 disposals just once against port. I know he missed a chunk of Pre Season but so did the likes of Lewis Taylor Jack Billings aswell.

I hope he has a huge pre season because he has been disappointing for me.

[SaberFang 7,141]

He didn't just miss basically the whole pre-season, but he's coming off a fairly debilitating illness over the summer. He'll be fine, he just needs time to develop.

Don't forget this kid was probably the only one on our list with the composure to kick the final goal and win us the game against the Bombers.

Unfortunately at the MFC, we can't let our kids develop for 3 years in the seconds before debut. Ideally we'd be doing that with Salem and JKH, but our list is a shambles.

[jumbo returns 6,533]

He didn't just miss basically the whole pre-season, but he's coming off a fairly debilitating illness over the summer. He'll be fine, he just needs time to develop.

Don't forget this kid was probably the only one on our list with the composure to kick the final goal and win us the game against the Bombers.

Unfortunately at the MFC, we can't let our kids develop for 3 years in the seconds before debut. Ideally we'd be doing that with Salem and JKH, but our list is a shambles.

3 years to develop? Nup, so many other kids have impacted straight away.

[KingDingAling 3,614]

Salem is going to be an ABSOLUTE gun!

Very impressive young lad - with all the right tools and attributes to be a fine AFL player.

Was always going to be a bit small in his first year, and given that he did have an illness - has done a hell of a job.

Next year, midfielder from the get-go and a very effective midfielder.

Atm, just a young lad trying to see the year out.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

Some serious questions need to be asked in why this is kid is playing when he is clearly struggling out there. He has been gifted games when the likes of Toumpas was dropped straight away.

I have that he will hopefully develop into a good player. But I must admit my personal opinion he hasn't shown why he was worthy of pick 9. Yes he has good kicking skills but he looks sluggish and has struggled in every game bar Port Adelaide to get into games.

In 12 games he has got over 9 disposals just once against port. I know he missed a chunk of Pre Season but so did the likes of Lewis Taylor Jack Billings aswell.

I hope he has a huge pre season because he has been disappointing for me.

Bit hard playing in a dysfunctional forward line though. Taylor and Billings haven't had to deal with that, and both have spent more time up and the ground and in the midfield than Salem has.

The kid is tough, has good skills and knows how to kick a goal. Finding his feet at AFL level and making more of an impact will come in time. Plus it's a bit harsh to have a crack at his disposal count when he has spent probably half of his games as the starting sub.

Far more pressing worries than Salem.

[SaberFang 7,141]

3 years to develop? Nup, so many other kids have impacted straight away.

Luck of the draw unfortunately. Plenty of kids who impacted straight away for our club are sitting on the junk pile right now.

It means nothing in the longterm if you have an outstanding first year.

[dazzledavey36 49,134]

Luck of the draw unfortunately. Plenty of kids who impacted straight away for our club are sitting on the junk pile right now.

It means nothing in the longterm if you have an outstanding first year.

Ellis Vlaustuin Wines Macrea O'Meara Bontempelli Aish Billings Taylor Dunstan Crouch have all made massive impacts in their first and all look set to be 10 year players.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

Ellis Vlaustuin Wines Macrea O'Meara Bontempelli Aish Billings Taylor Dunstan Crouch have all made massive impacts in their first and all look set to be 10 year players.

And every single player you've listed has spent considerable amounts of time in the midfield and, therefore, have been given far more opportunities to make that impact. Salem is a midfielder playing as a forward pocket/half forward this year and he has shown, particularly early in the season, that he has the attributes to make it at this level.

[SaberFang 7,141]

Kelly was pick 2 and he had a zero possession game earlier in the season.

[dazzledavey36 49,134]

Kelly was pick 2 and he had a zero possession game earlier in the season.

Err and he has gotten better as year went on. Did you watch his game last week where tore us apart? Did you watch his game today? Another impressive performance. You look sill here.

Edited August 23, 2014 by dazzledavey36

[KingDingAling 3,614]

Kelly was pick 2 and he had a zero possession game earlier in the season.

If we still have that war chest they were raving about the other year.

Might be time to crack it open and throw the contents at Josh Kelly.

He is up there with Bontempelli as far as potential superstars go.

[dazzledavey36 49,134]

If we still have that war chest they were raving about the other year.

Might be time to crack it open and throw the contents at Josh Kelly.

He is up there with Bontempelli as far as potential superstars go.

Signed a 4 year extension this year.

Going no where.

[monoccular 16,321]

Salem is going to be an ABSOLUTE gun!

Very impressive young lad - with all the right tools and attributes to be a fine AFL player.

Was always going to be a bit small in his first year, and given that he did have an illness - has done a hell of a job.

Next year, midfielder from the get-go and a very effective midfielder.

Atm, just a young lad trying to see the year out.

I agree with most of what you have said, but please please don't ever say <player x> is going to be an absolute gun.

I have heard this said so many times over the years ...... Morton, Maric, Watts, Taggert, Gysberts, Strauss, Blease, etc etc etc

It seems to be a curse

Edited August 23, 2014 by monoccular

[Yossarian 1,808]

One of the knocks on Salem as a youngster was that he didn't get his hands on the ball enough. So far that's coming through at AFL level and he probably does need to go back to the 2's to work on getting his numbers up. Next year...

[CBDees 3,162]

GWS traded us Tyson because [with so much talent around] they didn't rate him or realise his potential despite picking him up as pick 2. In his third year with us, he is a gun and there is no reason that both Salem and Toumpas will turn out likewise. I am sure that Roos knows what he is doing with these kids.

[JackVineyForPresident 310]

This site has hit a new low.

Firstly, he had absolutely no preseason.

Secondly, Salem is a midfielder, not a deep forward pocket player. When he develops the engine (remember, he missed the preseason) and the strength, he will play in our midfield. He is not going to dominate in a position his game isnt suited for.

Thirdly, he tackles, puts defensive pressure on and has an elite kick, everything we need.

Dont get antsy just because he hasnt been the quick fix

Edited August 23, 2014 by JackVineyForPresident

[DeeSpencer 23,359]

Some serious questions need to be asked in why this is kid is playing when he is clearly struggling out there. He has been gifted games when the likes of Toumpas was dropped straight away.

I have that he will hopefully develop into a good player. But I must admit my personal opinion he hasn't shown why he was worthy of pick 9. Yes he has good kicking skills but he looks sluggish and has struggled in every game bar Port Adelaide to get into games.

In 12 games he has got over 9 disposals just once against port. I know he missed a chunk of Pre Season but so did the likes of Lewis Taylor Jack Billings aswell.

I hope he has a huge pre season because he has been disappointing for me.

Have you seen our Casey side? Who exactly do you think Salem should be dropped for?

He earned his debut after some decent form and a 30 plus possession game. Then played some great cameo's as the sub and that very good game v Port. Then he was rightly dropped. He played another very decent VFL game and by that time Tapscott was injured again. Toumpas ill. Blease, McKenzie, Barry had their shot.

He's mainly been the sub and he's mainly had impact when he's come on fresh. Full VFL games might be the best thing for match fitness but it would never really get him the fitness he needs.

Against GWS he got crunched in to oblivion by Mumford. 2 seconds later he was up and making a tackle. That alone was worth playing him for I think.

[KingDingAling 3,614]

I agree with most of what you have said, but please please don't ever say <player x> is going to be an absolute gun.

I have heard this said so many times over the years ...... Morton, Maric, Watts, Taggert, Gysberts, Strauss, Blease, etc etc etc

It seems to be a curse

All those players you mentioned are outside cherry pickers - with half the skill of football smarts/skill of Salem.

Salem has few weaknesses. Those above mentioned players have few strengths, big difference.

[JackVineyForPresident 310]

Ellis Vlaustuin Wines Macrea O'Meara Bontempelli Aish Billings Taylor Dunstan Crouch have all made massive impacts in their first and all look set to be 10 year players.

Macrae only came good this year, being his second year.

Vlaustin has completely slowed down this year and is barely playing good football.

Bontempelli has only played a handful of games, i'll admit he looks impressive, but still only a handful.

Aish has been decent, i wouldnt say he has had a massive impact.

Billings has struggled to find the footy and much like Salem, has done good things here and there, but nothing to rave on about.

Dunstan has a good first few rounds, poor since then

[KingDingAling 3,614]

Macrae only came good this year, being his second year.

Vlaustin has completely slowed down this year and is barely playing good football.

Bontempelli has only played a handful of games, i'll admit he looks impressive, but still only a handful.

Aish has been decent, i wouldnt say he has had a massive impact.

Billings has struggled to find the footy and much like Salem, has done good things here and there, but nothing to rave on about.

Dunstan has a good first few rounds, poor since then

Macrae has oozzzzed class since his debut.

Vlaustin started well early - but has since slowed to a halt.

Bontempelli looks as good a first year player as I've seen.

Aish has impacted games and shown why he was highly touted.

Billings has exceeded expectations and is already one of the Saints better players.

Dunstan has performed to expectations for mine.

[JackVineyForPresident 310]

Macrae has oozzzzed class since his debut.

Vlaustin started well early - but has since slowed to a halt.

Bontempelli looks as good a first year player as I've seen.

Aish has impacted games and shown why he was highly touted.

Billings has exceeded expectations and is already one of the Saints better players.

Dunstan has performed to expectations for mine.

That's not true about Macrae, he was very average last year.

Bontempelli has definitely look amazing, just only played a minimal amount of games.

Aish really hasnt been that good, he's had good moments.

Billings is classy and will be a gun, but also has had some seriously quiet moments

[SaberFang 7,141]

I think this mentality that high draft picks should just waltz into the side from their first match and have a huge impact is the exact reason this club is in the toilet. This idea that draftees should pop into the team and be the solution to our woes is the antithesis of what Roos is trying to implement. Development and education of all our players needs to be priority one, regardless of where they were taken in the draft.

Some pick it up faster than others depending on the needs and complexity of the game plan. Roos' game plan requires incredible fitness and not only does this kid not have a preseason under his belt, he hasn't even had a chance to build his tank. Yet despite that, he still shows fantastic skills and vision, albeit without the fitness to garner large possession counts.

Salem will turn out just fine.

[Gorgoroth 12,351]

Cos our established players around him are doing such great work...

[Dr. Gonzo 22,569]

This site has hit a new low.

Firstly, he had absolutely no preseason.

Secondly, Salem is a midfielder, not a deep forward pocket player. When he develops the engine (remember, he missed the preseason) and the strength, he will play in our midfield. He is not going to dominate in a position his game isnt suited for.

Thirdly, he tackles, puts defensive pressure on and has an elite kick, everything we need.

Dont get antsy just because he hasnt been the quick fix

Exactly not to mention he has been the sub quite a few times which would be impacting his possession count. He is developing he is not the problem. Let him develop without dumping the weight of the club on him.

[Dr. Gonzo 22,569]

Ellis Vlaustuin Wines Macrea O'Meara Bontempelli Aish Billings Taylor Dunstan Crouch have all made massive impacts in their first and all look set to be 10 year players.

Those players all have better protection from their senior players, they're not expected to be leaders from day 1. Even Billings and Dunstan have Hayes and other senior players doing the hard work who have we got? Jones. Vince? Cross? Gets pretty thin after that.