A knee injury in the opening game of the season was bad news for the dashing Demon defender. The club missed his accurate boot and great decision making while he was out of action and he was never at his top on return.

"The star half-back missed 10 games in the first half of the season after surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his knee. Returned in round 12 to play all of the Demons’ remaining games. Locked away until 2026 after signing a five-year contract extension last year." - Herald Sun

Date of Birth: 15 July 1995
Height: 184cm
Weight: 84kg
 
Games MFC 2022: 13
Career Total: 143
 
Goals MFC 2022: 1
Career Total: 25

Never got going this year compared to 2021, due to the knee injury. Even when returning the team, he clearly lacked fitness and confidence. He found less ball and wasn't as effective as a precision rebounding kicker. He may have struggle with a clearly defined role and balance of the backline when we had Brayshaw, Bowey, Hunt, Rivers, Hibberd down back.

Still a very important player in our teams chances for another flag next season. We need him fit again. He's in the 5th-10th best and most important player bracket (behind Clarry, Trac, Gawn, May, Langdon, Kozzie).

One of the main reasons for our (relatively) disappointing season was his injury.

6 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

Never got going this year compared to 2021, due to the knee injury. Even when returning the team, he clearly lacked fitness and confidence. He found less ball and wasn't as effective as a precision rebounding kicker. He may have struggle with a clearly defined role and balance of the backline when we had Brayshaw, Bowey, Hunt, Rivers, Hibberd down back.

Still a very important player in our teams chances for another flag next season. We need him fit again. He's in the 5th-10th best and most important player bracket (behind Clarry, Trac, Gawn, May, Langdon, Kozzie).

Should have been rested in my view but playing crocks instead of using our depth is our way unfortunately

Here's hoping he is back fully fit next year

Almost comes in as a new recruit next season if he puts in the work over summer.

Never looked 100% fit after his knee injury.

More than any player I have ever seen, Salem is a shadow of his best self as soon as he loses confidence in his body. His attack at the contest drops off markedly, and he reverts to safe, short kicks instead of taking the game on.

The initial injury was hugely disappointing and costly for both player and team, but bringing him straight back in for round 12 was a  mistake in hindsight. We should have given him a couple of weeks at Casey leading into the bye and then brought him back for the Brisbane game. With a bit of form and confidence, he should have been primed for a big second half of the year.

More significantly, there is no way he ever should have played in either final. He was basically a passenger in both games, which was hugely costly in a couple of close contests. 

Hopefully he gets himself right in the break and has a big 2023, because his best football is excellent.

 

Agree with all above, poita layed it out how we all saw it. Salems dominance off the half back was a huge loss. Looking forward to seeing Christian Salem back to his 2021 form in 2023 and beyond he is such a key component in our team.!!

14 hours ago, Kent said:

Should have been rested in my view but playing crocks instead of using our depth is our way unfortunately

Here's hoping he is back fully fit next year

Agree completely Kent. 

This obsession with the 2021 heroes even with injuries proves that even they are not superhuman. 

Lessons must be collectively learned from Goody down ( or up to the medics) 

13 hours ago, poita said:

More than any player I have ever seen, Salem is a shadow of his best self as soon as he loses confidence in his body. His attack at the contest drops off markedly, and he reverts to safe, short kicks instead of taking the game on.

The initial injury was hugely disappointing and costly for both player and team, but bringing him straight back in for round 12 was a  mistake in hindsight. We should have given him a couple of weeks at Casey leading into the bye and then brought him back for the Brisbane game. With a bit of form and confidence, he should have been primed for a big second half of the year.

More significantly, there is no way he ever should have played in either final. He was basically a passenger in both games, which was hugely costly in a couple of close contests. 

Hopefully he gets himself right in the break and has a big 2023, because his best football is excellent.

 

Common sense Poita it's not rocket science. 

Should have come back through Casey with 2-3 managed games

Agree with all of the above. In retrospect he should never have been played in round 1 and then his re entry was poorly managed. A theme for many of our injured players.

Let’s hope his injury has settled now as salem of 22, going at about 50% rat power,  is  a massive loss fr the team. 

In the last 6 weeks of 2021 he averaged 27 possessions including a tone setting first quarter in the GF.

In the 2022 finals he averaged 11 possessions including just 2 possession in 3 quarters of footy against Sydney after Longmire tagged him.

Clearly a massively important player to our side and fortunes, which Longmire identified in the finals.

Poor bugger never had a chance to get out of first gear due to his injuries.  
In retrospect (at least) he should have been rested as should several others. 

Lots of hindsight Harry's here.

Moral of the story is you can't miss months of footy with an injury and then get back to anything like decent form, especially on top of missing periods during the pre-season. True of Salem, true of plenty of others, and coming back through the VFL or whatever wouldn't have made any difference. The fact that he had 20 disposals in his first game back against the Swans showed that he was at least ready to play.

Hopefully a full pre-season gets him back to the player he was and the player we need him to be.