I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Salem was training with the midfield group over summer with the expectation that he would play there this year. And I think in the first few games he did. If my memory is correct I wonder whether he was moved to the backline as a necessity (because the backline needed strengthening) or whether the coaches felt he wasn't a success as a midfielder. Either way, it's good to know that he is clearly a superior backman who has some practical midfield experience should the need for him to play there ever arise.

Just now, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Salem was training with the midfield group over summer with the expectation that he would play there this year. And I think in the first few games he did. If my memory is correct I wonder whether he was moved to the backline as a necessity (because the backline needed strengthening) or whether the coaches felt he wasn't a success as a midfielder. Either way, it's good to know that he is clearly a superior backman who has some practical midfield experience should the need for him to play there ever arise.

Every Time I've seen him go into the midfield he dominates the clearances, so I would assume a necessity?

33 minutes ago, MSFebey said:

Every Time I've seen him go into the midfield he dominates the clearances, so I would assume a necessity?

Disagree, thought while he did OK in the midfield, he didn't do enough to justify getting time in there and taking it away from some other players that give us more.

Salem still has a few things he needs to work on if he is to become a full time midfielder. He over commits too often and it affects his ability to remain in the play. If he is to be effective as a midfielder he will need to find a way to remain in the play - like Oliver does. He appears to be better as a back line player at the moment, but I still think he will eventually make a good midfielder. If he did have ambitions on being a full time midfielder he would want to be overtaking Jones next year. 

1 hour ago, KingDingAling said:

Salem still has a few things he needs to work on if he is to become a full time midfielder. He over commits too often and it affects his ability to remain in the play. If he is to be effective as a midfielder he will need to find a way to remain in the play - like Oliver does. He appears to be better as a back line player at the moment, but I still think he will eventually make a good midfielder. If he did have ambitions on being a full time midfielder he would want to be overtaking Jones next year. 

It’s almost an invisible ability that the top players seem to have. Brayshaw is getting better at it as well. 

Personally I like having Salem off half back for a bit of class coming out of defence. He has that ability to hit that crucial pass into the centre of the ground that opens teams up. 

I think people forget/underestimate how injury/illness interrupted his career has been. If nothing else I'm just glad he's managed to put a consistent season of footy together without being injured (fingers crossed!) Another season like this next year and he'll be primed to enter his peak and step up a level in effectiveness.

Edited July 31, 20186 yr by Dr. Gonzo

40 minutes ago, Pates said:

It’s almost an invisible ability that the top players seem to have. Brayshaw is getting better at it as well. 

Personally I like having Salem off half back for a bit of class coming out of defence. He has that ability to hit that crucial pass into the centre of the ground that opens teams up. 

I agree although one thing I hate about him playing that far downfield is we lose a guy with legitimate goal sense up the other end. Unfortunately we need him down back but I'd like to see him further down ground in future (or float forward more for some goals ala Lewis last week).

Always liked this guy. 

Needs to chill with his his tackling at times, though. Seems to give away a lot of frees by being a bit over earnest. 

 

He's had a decent year, not outstanding, and he's still tracking behind where he should be after 5 years. He's had injury and health issues, but he appears to be past them now and has finally got a clean run at it this year. 

I thought he was good in the midfield earlier in the season. He's been poor down back though. He could potentially become a good rebounder off half back, but he's poor defensively, often fails to spoil (directly cost us two goals on the weekend failing to spoil a smaller 9 game player!), and overcommits and goes to ground. I'd rather develop him as a midfielder where he belongs. He should be playing on a wing to make use of his kicking skills going inside 50.

48 minutes ago, Deemented Are Go! said:

Always liked this guy. 

Needs to chill with his his tackling at times, though. Seems to give away a lot of frees by being a bit over earnest. 

 

Yes, I've noticed a few 'in the backs' against Salem, not rolling in the tackle maybe

On 2/28/2018 at 9:17 AM, Demonland said:

Looking forward to big things from Salem this year. He has threatened for the past few years to have his "breakout" season but obviously injuries, illness and suspensions have hampered him. Apparently came back to preseason training already in great nick.

I just loved this from the linked article below.

According to Champion Data, Salem attended the second-most centre bounces (21) of any Melbourne player against North Melbourne in Saturday's JLT Community Series hit-out in Tasmania, just one less than clearance specialist Clayton Oliver.

Salem gathered 19 disposals at 84.2 per cent efficiency, winning five clearances and contributing two goal assists in a standout performance.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-27/bulkedup-dee-set-to-make-his-midfield-mark

Salem has delivered in 2018...  the boy has arrived.  

Perhaps the best kick in the entire AFL.  And he is hard as hell and a great tackler.  Worth every bit the pick 9 we paid for him.

Got ourselves a player here.

Roos likened him to McVeigh from the Swans the other night.

I get that, he's becoming a really smart player, setting up play & cutting the lines (opposition attacking moves).

He's maturing nicely and tough as nails.

And terry Wallace said it was a  disaster that his on our list and not Josh Kelly

His willingness to throw himself at the ball is a seriously underrated trait of his considering how elegant he is by foot.

The kid knows how to tackle as well.

Edited August 26, 20186 yr by Demon Jack