Another great game. Consistently under-rated.

Not underrated by me

Jet. Could use another Salem. 

Looked to play with freedom today. He and Saad would be brilliant off half back.

he definitely is not underrated. he is arguably amongst the most frustrating players to watch very much BECAUSE he is so highly rated and can do things unbecoming of someone so highly rated.

If Saad is rated as an All Australian then why isn't Salem been just as good.

If at least one of Salem and Rivers aren't put in to the midfield next year at the expense of one of our bashers then we are kidding ourselves.

If we don't recruit at least replacement level defenders to fill their void that will be a sign we don't know what we're doing.

BOG today 

Good. Real good today, and for most of the year.

8 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

If at least one of Salem and Rivers aren't put in to the midfield next year at the expense of one of our bashers then we are kidding ourselves.

If we don't recruit at least replacement level defenders to fill their void that will be a sign we don't know what we're doing.

Hopefully they recruit Saad - he did well today - that will free one of them to go up. But which one?

31 minutes ago, praha said:

he definitely is not underrated. he is arguably amongst the most frustrating players to watch very much BECAUSE he is so highly rated and can do things unbecoming of someone so highly rated.

Agree.

I've heard he carried an injury through the patch of games from Collingwood-Fremantle but not sure if that's true.

Either way, he has the capability to be an elite half-back/outside midfielder. But we don't get it every single week.

Today was exceptional.

3 minutes ago, 3183 Dee said:

Hopefully they recruit Saad - he did well today - that will free one of them to go up. But which one?

Depends on Rivers' fitness especially if/when the game reverts to full length quarters. He might not have the tank to do it in year 2. Otherwise everything I've seen makes me think he'll be a very good midfielder.

The main flaw in his game is that every time he gets the commentators have to stop everything to say 'who Melbourne love to have the ball in his hands' or 'and who is such a good user of the ball'.  If he can get past that, he'll be a really top player.

But, seriously, he's continued to improve his defensive nous and his physicality was never really lacking, and he's a good contributor whenever he is moved upfield or responds to circumstances.  You wouldn't be upset to have a midfield of 9 Salems, or maybe 7 Salems, a Petracca and a Langdon.

Leading tackler today, which is a good effort from him but also shouldn't be allowed to happen by the full-time mids who I think let us down a bit on that count.

Our greatest list deficiency is in reliable 'better than average' players and in the most ruthless sense Salem is terrific value for money.

3 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Agree.

I've heard he carried an injury through the patch of games from Collingwood-Fremantle but not sure if that's true.

Either way, he has the capability to be an elite half-back/outside midfielder. But we don't get it every single week.

Today was exceptional.

He does get tagged by defensive forwards every week. Every other side has a Spargo/Pickett/ANB type out to stop him.

Once again in the top 5 for most metres run today, 3rd for us behind Langdon and Brown.

 

5 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

If at least one of Salem and Rivers aren't put in to the midfield next year at the expense of one of our bashers then we are kidding ourselves.

If we don't recruit at least replacement level defenders to fill their void that will be a sign we don't know what we're doing.

I 100% think Rivers should and could be given a go in the midfield. I was looking the other day at what other clubs have that we don't have and the glaring player was a Pendlebury type.. 190cm, 90kg, composed and slick user of the ball. Rivers is exactly that, 188cm, 85kg, composed and elite ball user. 

He also had a point of brilliance in today's game, Essendon were well on top and he (Rivers) received the ball from the contest right in the centre square and managed to compose, look at some options and find a target out on the wing.

He has also played some scratch matches in the midfield.

Would love for them to explore that option next year, but only if we can secure another class HBF like Saad. 

24 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

If at least one of Salem and Rivers aren't put in to the midfield next year at the expense of one of our bashers then we are kidding ourselves.

If we don't recruit at least replacement level defenders to fill their void that will be a sign we don't know what we're doing.

Biggest issue is his tank, he just doesn’t seem to have the run to go in the midfield. That said if we had a group of three outside players that we could rotate in the that would be ideal. Rivers, as you said, is definitely another that could go. We need good users on the outside. 

Salems had a good year though, will be interesting to see his B&F finish. 

46 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

If Saad is rated as an All Australian then why isn't Salem been just as good.

Spot on.

salem >>>>> saad

so many of saad's i50 are bombs

3 minutes ago, Pates said:

Biggest issue is his tank, he just doesn’t seem to have the run to go in the midfield. That said if we had a group of three outside players that we could rotate in the that would be ideal. Rivers, as you said, is definitely another that could go. We need good users on the outside. 

Salems had a good year though, will be interesting to see his B&F finish. 

I think the tank has been an issue in years previous but his work rate has looked very strong this year and he's consistently been high up in the tracking numbers.

Shaun Higgins was a flanker until his mid 20's. David Mundy the same. Both became genuine superstars when they went in to the middle.

to me, its just the odd times he does those dinky kicks.. he's tough, brave, by and large elite by foot and a great teammate who seems to gel with everyone else. great game today. i agree. bog today.

He seemed a lot harder at the contest today. His intensity was through the roof. Provided some good run too.

That's the level he has to play at.

Finds kicks out of very tricky situations. Very valuable player for us.

Plays like Trent Cotchin used to. 

Am I just imagining that he is much better on his non preferred side than what he has been in previous seasons, or even earlier this season?

Better and better. In my votes today. He was composed and confident. Marked the ball and good in the contest.  Needs to deliver more of this every week