Glowing endorsement from the club:

A versatile player with a great understanding of the game, Salem is known for his elite foot skills and his ability to rebound the ball from half-back.

  (Emphasis i smine)

Over the past few years Salem has emerged as one the best rebounding defenders in the game and one of Melbourne’s most reliable performers.

“We are absolutely rapt to have Christian commit his long-term future to the club,” List Manager, Tim Lamb told Melbourne Media.

“Given he would have been eligible for Free Agency at the end of this year it is significant that he has forgone that opportunity to extend his time here so early in the season.

“Christian has developed into a crucial player and we believe he still has significant growth in his game.

“He is a much loved and highly respected member of our playing group and we are excited to see what he can produce for the red and blue in the years to come.”

 

If anyone still has any doubts about his silky skills and foot IQ re-read the first paragraph.

And if Lamb is correct that he still has significant growth in his game then we will have another elite footballer in our midst!!

Edited April 23, 20214 yr by Lucifer's Hero

2 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Doubt the club would announce anything, good or bad, this week to ensure nothing overshadows Jones 300th.  AS it should be.

That post didn't age well ? but my sentiment was good.

43 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Paid up member - no email 
Need to upgrade my membership ?

Mine arrived at 9.47 am.

14 minutes ago, DubDee said:

The next 5 years should be something.  Trac/Viney/Oliver/Salem/Langdon/Lever all in their prime.  It's our best chance to win a flag in a looooooong time

Gawny !!!! Still a babe in arms !!

Great signing, well done to all involved. Hopefully he’s part of our own dynasty.

For some reason nobody ever talks about Salem? Not on here, not in the media, not anywhere. The guy is a very good player. 

5 years is a long time at first glance but he also strikes me as somebody that will be just as good when he's 30 as he is now. All he relies on are good skills, a good footy brain and good upper body strength. Nothing too complicated nor anything that will diminish much with age.

Fantastic news. 

3 minutes ago, No Plan B said:

For some reason nobody ever talks about Salem? Not on here, not in the media, not anywhere. The guy is a very good player. 

5 years is a long time at first glance but he also strikes me as somebody that will be just as good when he's 30 as he is now. All he relies on are good skills, a good footy brain and good upper body strength. Nothing too complicated nor anything that will diminish much with age.

Fantastic news. 

I do at every chance I get.  And have defended him on DL since the day he started.  And until this year he needed a lot of defending. 

But I'm very glad that he needs a bigger bandwagon!

Edited April 23, 20214 yr by Lucifer's Hero

Outstanding news. And so early in the season as well so no distractions later on. The pieces are falling into place.

Come on Trac. Sign on the dotted line.

Took a few years to get over health issues and build himself up, but he’s brilliant now. This year has been his best season yet and he should be in all Australian conversations.

Great signing and show of faith by both player and club!

3 hours ago, Left Foot Snap said:

Matty Whelan went alright too.

Definitely nearer to Lovett than Whelan which prob makes Christian an A-to A+. As Brett was an A+ no doubt.

At seasons end I believe he will be without doubt an A+ and may even have a medallion around his neck!

That a boy Christian,  your turn next CP5, win or lose tommorow night this club has turned a massive corner as we are more composed and precise with our club messaging.

Give em hell tommorow night Demons.

Edited April 23, 20214 yr by Win4theAges

10 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

I do at every chance I get.  And have defended him on DL since the day he started.  And until this year he needed a lot of defending. 

But I'm very glad that he needs a bigger bandwagon!

He finished last season with about 4/5 games where he impacted the fortunes of our team towards a win.

Watch the GWS win in Round  17 and its the same as 2021 all out commitment and running for the team.
 

Congratulations Christian.

Naturally I am particularly pleased

Just now, Salems Lot said:

Naturally I am particularly pleased

You look particularly pleased in your profile photo, Mr. Lot.

We seem to be giving out a lot of 5 year deals recently. Jack Viney makes sense as he is genuine heart and soul. But I do wonder if Salo and Choppers Harmes are the type of blokes you give 5 years to. Especially, when Clarry only got a 2 year extension (he may not have wanted more), and Tracc coming into free agency at the end of 2022. 
I hope these contracts are weighted the right way as holding onto the latter of those two superstars is bloody important.? 
Salo is good, but is he 5 years good??

Edited April 23, 20214 yr by Colin B. Flaubert
Wanted to add an extra sentence

2 hours ago, The Jackson 6 said:

Agreed, which is why there has been nothing more than the channel 10 story so far. 10 reporter getting the intel is a strange leak but if that is as bad as the leaks are from the club nowadays I am happy.

Leak could've been from player manager or someone else - not necessarily club

excellent.

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

He's not an A grader.

Disagree.

Salem’s poise, strength and ability to dispose cleanly and to good options under intense pressure make him an ideal player for finals footy. 
Reckon he will thrive should we get to September.

his leadership off the back flank has reminded me of Hodge’s leadership at Brisbane recently.

19 minutes ago, Better days ahead said:

Outstanding news. And so early in the season as well so no distractions later on. The pieces are falling into place.

Come on Trac. Sign on the dotted line.

Have no idea but Trac is a close friend of Salem so I believe he will also sign on. Bloody hope so.

8 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

We seem to be giving out a lot of 5 year deals recently. Jack Viney makes sense as he is genuine heart and soul. But I do wonder if Salo and Choppers Harmes are the type of blokes you give 5 years to. Especially, when Clarry only got a 2 year extension (he may not have wanted more), and Tracc coming into free agency at the end of 2022. 
I hope these contracts are weighted the right way as holding onto the latter of those two superstars is bloody important.? 
Salo is good, but is he 5 years good??

Very happy to have Salo locked in for 5 years. 

Reckon given the games Viney has missed that one potentially too long.

Harmes somewhat long but all depends what we're paying I guess.

 

On a side note, Kozzy Pickett shares all the good news stories on his IG page, as he did with this one, so it seems he loves the club which is great 

Wwwooooohhhoooooo!!! 

Is Harmes really on 5 years??

 

He’s a classy player who has been generally underrated IMO 

A good signing 

1 minute ago, MF-C said:

Is Harmes really on 5 years??

 

Unfortunately yes.  Gave 5 years to a tagger, who they then tried to turn into a backman and who now has no place in the team.