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.

My point was not to compare Salem with those others mentioned, but to cringe at the use of the term "x will be an absolute gun" when nobody can really know

By the way I feel that he will become a very good player

Salem clearly has class. Not worried about this kid at all.

Bontempelli - well, I'd probably trade my new car to get him to the Dees.

What a ridiculous thread. You could put Gary Ablett Snr in out forward line and he would struggle to impact games.

Salem has been the sub on numerous occasions, and has shown some great glimpses of his talent, and ultimately, glimpses are all we should be expecting of 18 year olds in their first year.

Needs to work on his tank so he can spend more time up the ground next year.

Far more pressing worries than Salem.

Amen.

Just once, just once, let's recruit players that are fit, have been training, can do the preseason and impact from day one.....

Just once, just once, let's recruit players that are fit, have been training, can do the preseason and impact from day one.....

Wouldn't hurt.

Just once, just once, let's recruit players that are fit, have been training, can do the preseason and impact from day one.....

But that is not our go.

Just once, just once, let's recruit players that are fit, have been training, can do the preseason and impact from day one.....

Pretty sure his thyroid problem was discovered after we drafted him. Could be wrong though.

Danger Mouse was still at school and couldn't impact from day one...

You still pick them for how you think they will impact day 1400 and onward.

That's why we are where we are because we have MFC Drafting: It Can Always Get Worse 2007-2011.

The Sequel to MFC Drafting: Can't Get Any Worse 1999-2004.

It was either Salem or Freeman (0 games) at pick 9. Had we picked Freeman, the Nathan Freeman thread would be filled with 60 pages of self-loathing, illicit links to the personal phone numbers and addresses of Melbourne's recruiters, and recipes for burnt offerings to place at the foot of Norm Smith's statue.

PR,wants to have a look at him before the next preseason and point out his good/bad.It helps with coaching.

Hoges is a different kettle of fish,not needed to play the last 3 and should be cottonwooled until 2015.

Bit pathetic that thread has been started, having a go at a kid who' is about 5 1/2 minutes into his career.

If you wanna single out players have a look at the ones who have been around 6 or more years and have done [censored] all.

Just once, just once, let's recruit players that are fit, have been training, can do the preseason and impact from day one.....

the club should have been smart enough to use their spidey sense and tell this kid was going to have issues with his thyroid during pre season and lose 6 kilo's

that has nothing to do with the club, it's just bad luck.

For a top 10 draft pick he hasn't impressed.

However there's great scope for improvement.

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

You clearly didn't read the comment above...

I think the kid will be fine.. Imagine him in a Hawthorn or Geelong? Where he would have more support.

One thing ya cant teach, is intent to tackle and apply body pressure. This kid lives it unlike the much maligned watts..

Give him anothet few pre seasons and he'll earn his keep!

Another ripper thread.

The sooner people start to realise that it is not the 18, 19 and 20 year olds that is the problem with this club, the better.

Another ripper thread.

The sooner people start to realise that it is not the 18, 19 and 20 year olds that is the problem with this club, the better.

Some posters need something to whinge about each game, and make their own self important thread about it, and the usual players have either run out of gas or had enough threads as it is. All they have left are the young kids to have a crack at.

Some posters need something to whinge about each game, and make their own self important thread about it, and the usual players have either run out of gas or had enough threads as it is. All they have left are the young kids to have a crack at.

I'd much rather we be having meaningful debates about Jamar's spot in the side, or the best positions for Garland, Grimes, Howe and Watts (whether in the best 22 or not).

But no, people seem to think the bigger issues are Salem and Toumpas.

I'd much rather we be having meaningful debates about Jamar's spot in the side, or the best positions for Garland, Grimes, Howe and Watts (whether in the best 22 or not).

But no, people seem to think the bigger issues are Salem and Toumpas.

I couldn't agree more. As I said earlier in the thread someone like Salem is the very least of our current worries. So much more to fix than a first year player who has shown a bit and spent half of his games as the starting sub.

I'd much rather we be having meaningful debates about Jamar's spot in the side, or the best positions for Garland, Grimes, Howe and Watts (whether in the best 22 or not).

But no, people seem to think the bigger issues are Salem and Toumpas.

Your right,but a guess tells me that the average poster is sick to death of talking about the 24yo and are starting to overread the younger ones out of clear frustration.

4 years of this will make people go for the easiest link.

Posters have discussed evenly watts/sylvia and have had their heads kicked in by the JW cheer squad.

Christian Salem has star written all over him

Incredible skills, hard at the contest, X factor

I know its a depressing time but please for the love of god, lay off the first year player whos played half his games or more as sub and has already shown more footballing ability than 95% of our list

JKH has also shown plenty

I think we drafted well for once

Edited August 24, 201410 yr by hogans_heroes

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

See also - has been used almost entirely as the sub, or subbed off.

Salem clearly has class. Not worried about this kid at all.

Bontempelli - well, I'd probably trade my new car to get him to the Dees.

Saints fans must be watching Bonty with a bit of dread. Early days obviously but Billings looks half the player that he is. Guaranteed star in the making.

Saints fans must be watching Bonty with a bit of dread. Early days obviously but Billings looks half the player that he is. Guaranteed star in the making.

Bontempelli didn't have that much hype in his U/18 year. I seem to remember the journos who follow the draft (the Emma Quayle, Jay Clark types) thinking pick 4 was a reach. Wines was a similar story the year before. Anyway, I guess my point is that even in this day and age top 10 picks are still a complete lottery.

As for Salem, I would have thought he's the least of our worries. Strange thread.