Time to Unleash Salem

[SPC 3,499]

With the year done.. I feel it time to start playing people in positions they were drafted. Salem was Half Forward/Mid. I would love to see him move to the midfield with Oliver and Brayshaw/Trac.

I understand the need for him at halfback. But lets use Hore to cover and get him back in the middle where we need pure class.

[chook fowler 19,304]

last week would have been a good opportunity to play Salem on the wing and have Hore at half back. But what would i know.

[Redleg 40,413]

Salem started the year brilliantly and has tapered off noticeably.

[SPC 3,499]

1 minute ago, Redleg said:

Salem started the year brilliantly and has tapered off noticeably.

He has defended okay, but lost his attacking flare. Kicking has been a bit off the last month. Would like to see him in a less accountable role. 

[Lucifers Hero 39,069]

After Salem's very good early season form, opp coaches saw him as the 'danger' guy and developed strategies to neutralise his impact. 

iirc correctly he was physically worked over in a few games and missed at least one game with concussion from the rnd 9 WCE game.  Salem hasn't been the same since.

Salem has had to shoulder much of the backline responsibility as many defenders (except Frost) have been out injured.

Its a big credit to him that he has soldiered on so well.

Re the question.  Hore may release Salem upfield.  But tbh I would rather Salem and Hunt switch roles.  Salem would offer much more in front of goals and Hunt returns to the backline.

Edited August 12, 2019 by Lucifer's Hero

[Lord Nev 13,512]

3 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Re the question.  Hore may release Salem upfield.  But tbh I would rather Salem and Hunt switch roles.  Salem would offer much more in front of goals and Hunt returns to the backline.

Agree with most of that except for the last bit. Our infamous back half disposal has now lost May and if it swapped Salem for Hunt we'd be in a world of hurt IMO.

Personally I'd go for Hore in, Viney to the back half, Salem on the wing, Gus back in the guts (or even Gus to the back half I guess). Plus, I might have been seeing things, but I seem to recall Hunt playing a bit of backline the last week or two and not having much of an impact. Would rather Dunkley or even one of Chandler, Bedford and Jordon getting a shot up forward instead Hunt anyway, has he seems to have stalled there lately.

[Lucifers Hero 39,069]

9 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

Agree with most of that except for the last bit. Our infamous back half disposal has now lost May and if it swapped Salem for Hunt we'd be in a world of hurt IMO.

I wasn't thinking this week.  Salem for Hunt was in the context of 'Unleash Salem'.  I'm suggesting a permanent role change for Salem.

Edited August 12, 2019 by Lucifer's Hero

[Lord Nev 13,512]

6 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

I wasn't thinking this week, I was thinking a permanent role change for Salem.

Ah gotcha. The same problem still exists though, as much as I'd love him to get moved up the ground, unless we're replacing his quality disposal things could only get worse for our back half turnovers.

[BAMF 4,189]

I just don't think we have that luxury. We are short on outside mids which extends to the half back flank.

They tried Salem in the guts at the start of last year and he was ineffective. At best he broke even.

If Salem leaves the HBF it would have to be to take up a position on the wings. Does he have the endurance? His disposal is a weapon on the half back flank. We need another HBF who has pace and good disposal. Lachlan Ash is a youngster who we could potentially look at in the draft but would likely go around pick 5-12.

[Roger Mellie 3,903]

32 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

  But tbh I would rather Salem and Hunt switch roles.  Salem would offer much more in front of goals and Hunt returns to the backline.

Hunt's played in the backline the last two weeks with a few cameos in the forward line. I've loved it because he swapped with Fritsch and we got to see Fritsch in the forward line. If only they'd done it earlier. Hunt's been quiet but, in the scheme of things, I'd rather see Fritsch out of the backline. 

If Salem played in the midfield (and not fussed if he does), then Lewis or Melksham would have to go back to cover his role - not Hunt 

[DeeSpencer 24,963]

23 minutes ago, BAMF said:

I just don't think we have that luxury. We are short on outside mids which extends to the half back flank.

They tried Salem in the guts at the start of last year and he was ineffective. At best he broke even.

If Salem leaves the HBF it would have to be to take up a position on the wings. Does he have the endurance? His disposal is a weapon on the half back flank. We need another HBF who has pace and good disposal. Lachlan Ash is a youngster who we could potentially look at in the draft but would likely go around pick 5-12.

I think it lasted 4 weeks and whilst he wasn't great in the first 2 weeks in round 3 he had 8 clearances and looked very good against North and his tank and play has been stronger this year. 

Results don't matter for the next 2 weeks, the only concern is Salem doing so well we have to start him there next year but that seems unlikely to me. Give him a go just for something different.

I'd give Harmes a go across half back and put Salem in the midfield for the last two weeks. For next year we certainly need another gun half back to take Jones' spot.

 

[Deemania since 56 6,571]

1 hour ago, SPC said:

With the year done.. I feel it time to start playing people in positions they were drafted. Salem was Half Forward/Mid. I would love to see him move to the midfield with Oliver and Brayshaw/Trac.

I understand the need for him at halfback. But lets use Hore to cover and get him back in the middle where we need pure class.

He (Salem) is a midfielder by the traits he displays yet lacks a little physical strength when tackling bigger bodies. He needs to exploit some run away from the congestion, first, and then appear on a lead to space to receive and continue the forward delivery (which he is very capable of doing - particularly with our two space-finders on the space chase in Fritta and Melksham).

Swinging Brayshaw and Tracca to half-forward could be advantageous, provided we use their movements to the same roaming effect that the Filth uses with Sidebottom, for example. He moves well from the flanking edge of the centre square to half forward on a deliberate lead - and back again depending on the flow - and seldom is he tagged across these distances. It also provides him with some variable 'square' proximity to the goalmouth on forward 50 entries - again, largely unmanned. The MFC younger fellas found this out last game, and found it too hard to stick with him, as well. It appears to be a very reliable and consistent goal producing routine, actually. 

[Sorry kids 635]

Another early trade we would not get anything near what we paid. Too small to be a first round pick.

[Skin Deeamond 339]

1 hour ago, Deemania since 56 said:

He (Salem) is a midfielder by the traits he displays yet lacks a little physical strength when tackling bigger bodies. He needs to exploit some run away from the congestion, first, and then appear on a lead to space to receive and continue the forward delivery (which he is very capable of doing - particularly with our two space-finders on the space chase in Fritta and Melksham).

Swinging Brayshaw and Tracca to half-forward could be advantageous, provided we use their movements to the same roaming effect that the Filth uses with Sidebottom, for example. He moves well from the flanking edge of the centre square to half forward on a deliberate lead - and back again depending on the flow - and seldom is he tagged across these distances. It also provides him with some variable 'square' proximity to the goalmouth on forward 50 entries - again, largely unmanned. The MFC younger fellas found this out last game, and found it too hard to stick with him, as well. It appears to be a very reliable and consistent goal producing routine, actually. 

Except that our guys miss the goals more times than they kick them.

[titan_uranus 24,919]

24 minutes ago, Sorry kids said:

Another early trade we would not get anything near what we paid. Too small to be a first round pick.

Just out of interest, have you ever posted anything that's even neutral, let alone positive, on here?

[Sorry kids 635]

2 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Just out of interest, have you ever posted anything that's even neutral, let alone positive, on here?

Seems you have already decided that. Go take a look at what we missed in the 2013 draft. Didnt agree with the deal  then or now. 

[titan_uranus 24,919]

Just now, Sorry kids said:

Seems you have already decided that. Go take a look at what we missed in the 2013 draft. Didnt agree with the deal  then or now. 

I'll take that as a no.

[Sorry kids 635]

10 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

I'll take that as a no.

MFC employee or old boys network Titan?

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

Some stats for a bit of context....

3 rounds to Round 19 (weighted composite of averages) vs entire 2018 season (ie., indication of latter season form)...

This season to Rnd 19...

Marginal drop off statistically in the block above but still slightly ahead of 2018 season.  Damn good effort for anyone to be near or bettering their result from last season.

Kicking efficiency has improved since Rnd 9 and has moved up two places.  Another very good outcome and above the AFL average of approx 68% (mids usually track lower and defenders higher but he plays a mixed role and/or has possibly been asked to play more time in a defensive role later in the season hence the improvement and high ranking?)....

[SPC 3,499]

20 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

Some stats for a bit of context....

3 rounds to Round 19 (weighted composite of averages) vs entire 2018 season (ie., indication of latter season form)...

This season to Rnd 19...

Marginal drop off statistically in the block above but still slightly ahead of 2018 season.  Damn good effort for anyone to be near or bettering their result from last season.

Kicking efficiency has improved since Rnd 9 and has moved up two places.  Another very good outcome and above the AFL average of approx 68% (mids usually track lower and defenders higher but he plays a mixed role and/or has possibly been asked to play more time in a defensive role later in the season hence the improvement and high ranking?)....

Interesting stats. Was surprised with the improved form. Just think with his ability to make quick decisions and execute small kicks to advantage under pressure- he should be in the middle with Oliver sooner rather than later. 

[Cam Schwab's Whiteboard 209]

Fantastic season from Salem, who is now looking tired (who can blame him?). Frost is looking tired too, IMO.

Every year we hear about Salem moving into the midfield, but it has only happened for very brief spurts. I do like Salem kicking out of defence, but he and Petracca offer a point of difference from the usual suspects, so now is the time. Maybe a Mid-HF jobshare for the two of them?

 

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

9 hours ago, SPC said:

Interesting stats. Was surprised with the improved form. Just think with his ability to make quick decisions and execute small kicks to advantage under pressure- he should be in the middle with Oliver sooner rather than later. 

I'd rather see him play mostly an outside role between the arcs.  Bit of time in the middle but hate to see him get too banged up playing a major role.  Tracc is the man for job IMV and already being groomed.  Burgess time to take him to the next level.  If he commits we will have ourselves an A grade mid who can bust a game open on a regular basis.

Keep the silk mostly on the outside....Lucifer knows we need it!

Edited August 12, 2019 by Rusty Nails

[roy11 3,737]

I'm not sure about this, accurate kicks into the F50 aren't part of our current game plan ?