2017 Player Reviews: # 3 Christian Salem

[Glenn Molloy 494]

Had a reasonable first half of the year where he finally gained some continuity in his footy.  Has sublime foot skills (apart from the horrendous turnover vs. Pies in first quarter, but he wasn't Robinson Crusoe).  I don't think we can afford to get rid of young players with his foot skills given our lack of class around the ground.  He should only get better from here.  My only worries are that a) he's not a natural defender, so not sure that H/B is the right spot for him, though he will at least develop some defensive nous and b) he's not at all quick.  I still remember him chasing a Pies player in the last quarter right in front of me and it was like he was jogging on the spot!  Needs a big year in 2018 but I wouldn't trade him.

[Jibroni 5,003]

I agree he is not a natural defender. I would like to see him spend more time on the ball or become that outside mid who can quickly transition the ball with accuracy. If he can stay "injury free" i see him having a solid 2018.

[Sir Why You Little 37,039]

Trade Bait to help upgrade our list. 

We have to improve to play finals

[old dee 23,791]

1 hour ago, Jibroni said:

I agree he is not a natural defender. I would like to see him spend more time on the ball or become that outside mid who can quickly transition the ball with accuracy. If he can stay "injury free" i see him having a solid 2018.

Is "solid" good enough?

[old dee 23,791]

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Trade Bait to help upgrade our list. 

We have to improve to play finals

You have my vote.

[whatwhat say what 22,759]

i think he's only worth something in a trade as a makeweight to bring in the likes of a lever or gaff, otherwise we're not getting value for him

he's certainly worth more to us than a speculative second round draft pick - which is what i think we'd be offered - in a reputedly poor draft

Edited September 12, 2017 by DemonAndrew

[old dee 23,791]

2 minutes ago, DemonAndrew said:

i think he's only worth something in a trade as a makeweight to bring in the likes of a lever or gaff, otherwise we're not getting value for him

he's certainly worth more to us than a speculative second round draft pick - which is what i think we'd be offered - in a reputedly poor draft

Barring being part of a deal to get aLever type over the line DA I don't think he is going anywhere. As you say the best we could expect would be a second round pick. I think most teams would consider him a risk health wise. I would be surprised if he was worth more than early third round on the open market. 

[Lord Travis 10,730]

He was one of the major disappointments of the year for mine. Dropped late in the year when we needed run and foot skills. Suspended twice this year. I know he's had health issues, but he's been a failure for a top 10 pick IMO. 

He's 5 years into his career, nearly half way into a decent length AFL career, and he's still getting dropped and struggling for form etc. If his name was Jack Watts people would've lynched him already. He still hasn't found what position he's going to play yet if he makes it. He's got the tools to become a good player, great kick, good decision maker, goes hard when it's his turn, he's just not putting it together. It's a shame as I was so excited by him when we drafted him and he showed great signs very early on. 

He'd be first on my list to trade as he may still have some value, though that's plummeting year after year. We had the same discussion on here this time last year about Salem and nothing has changed except we're all a year older. If he helps us land Lever or a high pick then I'd take it and run while we can.

[Diamond_Jim 12,588]

3 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

He was one of the major disappointments of the year for mine. Dropped late in the year when we needed run and foot skills. Suspended twice this year. I know he's had health issues, but he's been a failure for a top 10 pick IMO. 

He's 5 years into his career, nearly half way into a decent length AFL career, and he's still getting dropped and struggling for form etc. If his name was Jack Watts people would've lynched him already. He still hasn't found what position he's going to play yet if he makes it. He's got the tools to become a good player, great kick, good decision maker, goes hard when it's his turn, he's just not putting it together. It's a shame as I was so excited by him when we drafted him and he showed great signs very early on. 

He'd be first on my list to trade as he may still have some value, though that's plummeting year after year. We had the same discussion on here this time last year about Salem and nothing has changed except we're all a year older. If he helps us land Lever or a high pick then I'd take it and run while we can.

Harsh ... but not too far off the mark.

My reservation is that there is enormous upside and players with his potential (that horrible word) are not that plentiful.

On a positive note you have to admit that this has been his best season... just not as good as many of us had hoped

[ProperDee 1,698]

Salem is a gifted footballer and close to our best kick.  I too think he is not a defender but seemingly better options exist in his (IMO) most suitable position, HFF.  Watching him closely, I feel that he lacks in physical strength and am surprised that he hasn't hit the weight room a bit harder. His body shape hasn't changed since he arrived at the club.  Perhaps this is as a result of his thyroid issues but if he is able to strengthen up I am sure he will become an A grader.  

[Demon trucker 1,800]

Would not trade him had a good season before injury, way too early to make call on him, just stupid  most players don't play at their best until they've played 100 games he will be a good player people just got have patience,if swyl was the list manger no would ever play 100 games.

[Sir Why You Little 37,039]

6 minutes ago, don't make me angry said:

Would not trade him had a good season before injury, way too early to make call on him, just stupid  most players don't play at their best until they've played 100 games he will be a good player people just got have patience,if swyl was the list manger no would ever play 100 games.

Into his 5th season and nobody knows where to play him. 

It's time for an upgrade

[beelzebub 23,376]

23 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Into his 5th season and nobody knows where to play him. 

It's time for an upgrade

Or a rethink at least !!

[Sir Why You Little 37,039]

3 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Or a rethink at least !!

I'm sure that has already been done more than once. 

If we want to get A Grade players into the club we have to trade, and that means trading players who have currency. 

Salem is right in that mix

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,177]

Another year interrupted by injury, suspension and then form. Agree with most that he is not a back. We need to move him into our midfield rotation but he needs to build the suitable ethic over the summer to get the required endurance. I hope he is told this and read some home truths about what is required. I would then stick him to Lewis and shadow him all preseason. I don't think he's a bust as he has the required attributes but he needs some continuity and what I perceive is a kick in his desire to be the best he can be.  Otherwise I would be seeing whether he needs to be part of a serious trade to get Lever or an A grade mid done.

 

 

[Pennant St Dee 13,173]

10 hours ago, old dee said:

You have way better vision than me PSD

I hope so Old Dee.

Hes a good user of the footy and doesn't mind being a little nasty at times. Plays well in patches and shown glumpses of being a very capable component in transitioning off HB to our HF line.

Will IMO become more consistent and develop a better game sense with experience and will eventually rotate through the middle and across HB

Edited September 12, 2017 by Pennant St Dee

[Demon trucker 1,800]

15 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Into his 5th season and nobody knows where to play him. 

It's time for an upgrade

If is so crap how can he get us a up grade

[Sir Why You Little 37,039]

59 minutes ago, don't make me angry said:

If is so crap how can he get us a up grade

He is not crap, that is why he is worth trading. 

You have to trade GOOD Players to get BETTER Players

[buck_nekkid 5,861]

I would push him up onto a wing and look for him to provide outside run and lace out delivery inside 50.  With Joel Smith, Hunt, Frost, OMac (Lever) and Jetta as a back 6, he should really build his tank in the off season and demand a wing of high hf role.  The 'development year' in defence is over.....

not traded unless for something of significant value.

[Return to Glory 8,441]

2 hours ago, buck_nekkid said:

I would push him up onto a wing and look for him to provide outside run and lace out delivery inside 50.  With Joel Smith, Hunt, Frost, OMac (Lever) and Jetta as a back 6, he should really build his tank in the off season and demand a wing of high hf role.  The 'development year' in defence is over.....

not traded unless for something of significant value.

Inclined to agree BN. Don't think he has enough nous to play too far forward so that leaves wing/high hf. The concern I have around Salem is more gut feel than anything.. which I know doesn't always equate with weight of possessions. He doesn't seem to have a real presence on the field when it's needed and I don't think he's one of the blokes to get us to where we want to be. Could be wrong.

[jnrmac 20,065]

On 9/12/2017 at 6:23 PM, Sir Why You Little said:

Into his 5th season and nobody knows where to play him. 

It's time for an upgrade

This is telling. Ideally you want him as a distributor of half back. But he's not that quick, not great one on one and is still learning how to defend. His early years he was often caught out on the wrong side of his opponent.

I'm really torn with him. We are seduced because we have such poor users of the ball and this is his great strength.....

[Sir Why You Little 37,039]

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

This is telling. Ideally you want him as a distributor of half back. But he's not that quick, not great one on one and is still learning how to defend. His early years he was often caught out on the wrong side of his opponent.

I'm really torn with him. We are seduced because we have such poor users of the ball and this is his great strength.....

I agree. He has talent. But we are now in a situation where we must trade for better. 

You cannot trade players who are not up to it, you must trade Talent. 

It's Poker Time

kelly and Lever are both what we need

Salem we can trade and be ok

[Farmer 883]

On 12/09/2017 at 3:43 AM, beelzebub said:

Not so sure ( but maybe )

Needs a better role. 2018 do or die 

Hey, hold on! My recollection is that we consistently gave him votes in the first 16 rounds. In fact I believe we rated him our best at least once. We tend to overlook the earlier games because of the disastrous end. Does anyone have the votes we awarded?

[old dee 23,791]

On 12/09/2017 at 11:13 PM, Pennant St Dee said:

I hope so Old Dee.

Hes a good user of the footy and doesn't mind being a little nasty at times. Plays well in patches and shown glumpses of being a very capable component in transitioning off HB to our HF line.

Will IMO become more consistent and develop a better game sense with experience and will eventually rotate through the middle and across HB

Good ball users with attitude do not grow on trees PSD especially around the MFC and that counts in his favour.

[monoccular 17,431]

On 13/09/2017 at 8:18 PM, Farmer said:

Hey, hold on! My recollection is that we consistently gave him votes in the first 16 rounds. In fact I believe we rated him our best at least once. We tend to overlook the earlier games because of the disastrous end. Does anyone have the votes we awarded?

Which reminds me, have I missed the final Demonland vote tally for the year?