5 years is fine for a player who has shown the consistency and steady improvement that Salem has.

22 Salem-level players would crush any team they came up against while still fitting under the salary cap.

I assume a 5 year contract would cost us less per year than would two shorter contracts. And that's without the possibility that his form continues to improve increasing his nominal value.   

Thrilled with this, Salem is one of my favourite players, enormously underrated by many.

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

 

What an ordinary collection of players. ?

3 hours ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

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.

 

Doubt he’s on big coin the 5 year deal would have been less money for more certainty, when fit harmes is still in our 22 and at A minimum he will replace Jones going fwd and is still ahead of the younger mids like sparrow and Jordan for now. 

Edited April 23, 20214 yr by Garbo

4 hours 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've loved him since his first game against the Swans. Laid a crunching tackle and kicked a great snap for a goal. Always thought he would be better suited closed to goals but his calmness, toughness and silk across half back has been fantastic for us the last year or so.

Personally I would have preferred 3-4 years but then he is super consistent coming 8th, 7th and 7th in the B & F over the past three years. You’d think, on current form, he’d be a Monty for another top 10 finish this year. 

For those who say he isn’t great one-on-one check out the Cats game where the Geelong full back kicked out to Guthrie on the back flank and Salem out marked him easily. 2 minutes later and another Geelong point, full back picks out Guthrie againand Salem does him cold. The third point in a row and I’m yelling at the tele ‘kick it to Guthrie, kick it to Guthrie! 

Great news.  I love that the club are getting these deals done early and with a minimum of drama.  We're not hearing about players putting off talks until the end of the season or looking at their options.  Already the media are turning their attention to the players who are out of contract at the end of 2022, because we've given them nothing to speculate on this year.  Great position for the club to be in. 

 

Salem has had a really interesting career at the Dees (and is still relatively young), there would have to have been periods of doubt on his and the clubs end. But he is having an outstanding year and is massively going under the radar with Gawny, Trac, and Oliver having such great years. 

5 years is a reward for perseverance and it comfortably locks him away for ages, probably leading to him being a one-club player. 

I have no doubts about Salem, and am so glad he is signed up. 3-4 years would suit better only because so much can happen over 5 years. He is wonderful by foot, is quicker than he looks, is much more physical than it appears, and is better one-on-one than many give him credit for. 

In other posts above he has been compared to Matty Whelan or Brett Lovett. He doesn't particularly remind me of either. Brett Lovett was the 2nd best Dees defender I have seen behind Hardeman, so it is very difficult to elevate someone into his very high status. 

 

1 hour ago, Jaded said:

What an ordinary collection of players. ?

What's the collective for players Jaded? A huddle??

11 hours ago, 58er said:

You said you don't trust him yet In 1:1's.

I said "his 1v1 game has improved, but I don't have the same confidence in him to win those that others do just yet, but hope I'll soon be on board."

11 hours ago, 58er said:

Don't back pedal because you obviously don't either watch properly or don't like Christian.

Seriously he has gone from a B grader half way through last year having a small impact on our game plan to an A grader now who has added intercept marking longer kicking and more metres gained to his game.

I also said "having met Salem before, he seems like a really genuine guy". Just because I don't have the same confidence in him as you to win 1v1s does not mean I don't like Christian or that I don't watch him properly.

11 hours ago, 58er said:

Its like the improvement in Kossie recognise it and give credit where it's due AF.

I also said "Salem is an important role player and ball user for us though."

So next time you want to interpret my posts, actually read what I'm writing or don't bother responding, because what you've written here is nonsense. Again.

As for him signing for 5 years, I'm very happy.

Wonderful news. Great user of the ball, very clean. He is also resilient, does not (cross fingers) often get hurt and has played well through injury.

I really like the way we are putting this group away for the long term, no distractions.

Edited April 23, 20214 yr by RigidMiddleDigit

1 hour ago, A F said:

I said "his 1v1 game has improved, but I don't have the same confidence in him to win those that others do just yet, but hope I'll soon be on board."

This is absolutely not a shot at you at all, but I really can't remember him being beaten badly in a one on one contest against a player for similar size (ie his direct opponent). In fact most his 1v1's this year he's almost always won the dual almost effortlessly. Maybe I've got rose tinted glasses on, so feel free to point to an opponent that has had it over him this year.

His contested marking has also really improved this year, for a small guy he's been taking quite a few relieving marks when the ball is bombed out of our forward 50.

Edited April 23, 20214 yr by Pates

6 hours ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

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.

 

You are aware he is injured atm?

5 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Hopefully he's on minimum chips.

Would be horrified if he's on 500-600 a year.

We all liked Harmes in 2018 but he hasn't kicked on since then and I wouldn't even bring him back when he's over his injury.

Sensational news about Salem.

 

What’s the cap? $500k isn’t what it used to be.

6 hours ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

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.

 

I think you are making an error, each to our own views and errors, but I think you will find as soon as Harmes is fit again he will come straight back into the side without going to Casey.

I think the Coach and FD really rate him.

Good Luck for your side this weekend. Hope you celebrate a strong win,

7 hours 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??

Yes. I'm fine with it.

7 hours ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

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.

 

You have absolutely no idea of the terms of Harmes' deal except for the length. James will bounce back and I doubt he's on big money anyway.

Imagine being a young kid and your favourite Dee picks you out in the crowd after a win and gives you a signed cap. A very happy 12 yr old amongst many in this household tonight. Sometimes the small joys for a supporter are the best.
Good on ya Christian!! 

On 4/6/2021 at 11:49 AM, dl4e said:

Losing Salem would be on par with Petracca and Oliver.

lol. no it wouldn't!

On 4/6/2021 at 2:00 PM, spirit of norm smith said:

4 year deal at $550k would be starting offer. He’s a lock for our starting 18 and in my current top 10 players at the club (#9). 

Happy days. Salem signed up for 5 years. 
 

Quality re-signing, one of our most important players. tremendous show of faith in the club to sign up for 5 years given the last couple of seasons.

Every middle of the road team needs across the board player improvement to become a real threat.

Salem is one of our most improved this year and as such a large part of our current ladder position.

 

His 1 on 1 contested work has improved out of sight, particularly his contested marking.

1 hour ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Imagine being a young kid and your favourite Dee picks you out in the crowd after a win and gives you a signed cap. A very happy 12 yr old amongst many in this household tonight. Sometimes the small joys for a supporter are the best.
Good on ya Christian!! 

That looks like the Ess game where Salem kicked the winning goal with 19 seconds to go - his 3rd game I think.  A very special win.

Is your boy wearing Salem's # 3?  He knows how to pick a winner!