Anyone who has or knows someone who has a thyroid condition would know how tricky it is to get the medication dosage right. It requires heaps of tweaks and monitoring to get perfect. And just because he's had it before doesn't mean the same dosage would work again. My assumption is that he's been on some form of medication since he got diagnosed years ago, because a thyroid doesn't just heal itself over time, and that medication dosage is no longer being effective. That means tweaking the dosage and doing repeated blood tests to check that the levels are correct. 

It can takes a long time to get right or you can get lucky and get it right straight away. 

But given he's an athlete who puts his body under major stress every day, I don't think they'll risk it. It can be really serious if poorly mismanaged, and impact his life well beyond footy.

5 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Anyone who has or knows someone who has a thyroid condition would know how tricky it is to get the medication dosage right. It requires heaps of tweaks and monitoring to get perfect. And just because he's had it before doesn't mean the same dosage would work again. My assumption is that he's been on some form of medication since he got diagnosed years ago, because a thyroid doesn't just heal itself over time, and that medication dosage is no longer being effective. That means tweaking the dosage and doing repeated blood tests to check that the levels are correct. 

It can takes a long time to get right or you can get lucky and get it right straight away. 

But given he's an athlete who puts his body under major stress every day, I don't think they'll risk it. It can be really serious if poorly mismanaged, and impact his life well beyond footy.

This is spot on Jaded. It's completely up in the air at this stage and very much a wait and see with trial and error. Fingers crossed, hopefully the season is less interrupted than his last.

41 minutes ago, layzie said:

This is spot on Jaded. It's completely up in the air at this stage and very much a wait and see with trial and error. Fingers crossed, hopefully the season is less interrupted than his last.

Fortunately we can cover him especially after a very poor 2022. He  hasn't looked right for some time in my opinion

3 hours ago, Demonland said:

i love it when they get a doctor in to talk in general terms about a specific player's specific issue...gotta love filling air time...

how many weeks / games did he miss last time this was an issue?

vital player; need him fit and firing

23 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

i love it when they get a doctor in to talk in general terms about a specific player's specific issue...gotta love filling air time...

how many weeks / games did he miss last time this was an issue?

vital player; need him fit and firing

He missed 14 games in 2016.

I assume that was due to the thyroid issue?

12 hours ago, Kent said:

Fortunately we can cover him especially after a very poor 2022. He  hasn't looked right for some time in my opinion

I think 2022 showed just how important he really is for us. His absence and lack of form when returning was a key reason we didn't have the same movement out of our back half as we did in 2021.

9 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I think 2022 showed just how important he really is for us. His absence and lack of form when returning was a key reason we didn't have the same movement out of our back half as we did in 2021.

Yes Dr agreed. I wouldnt have kept playing him but they did.

20 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

He missed 14 games in 2016.

I assume that was due to the thyroid issue?

I'm pretty sure that's right. From memory it took ages to sort

His thyroid is a pain in the neck. His performance in the Grand Final shows how important he is - arguably he was our best player in the first half of that game.

On 2/6/2023 at 5:47 PM, WERRIDEE said:

This is a blow we need a fit and firing Salem. Doesn't look like it will happen for a couple of months. New best 23

B: Lever, May, Hibberd

HB: Brayshaw, Petty, Bowey

C: Langdon, Petracca, Hunter

HF: Pickett, van Rooyen, Neal-Bullen

F: Fritsch, McDonald, Gawn

FOLL: Grundy, Oliver, Viney

IC: Rivers, Sparrow, Harmes, Melksham

SUB: Chandler

I'd have Brown in the side ahead of Melksham.  

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/i-was-pretty-much-stuck-on-the-couch-for-a-month-why-christian-salem-is-hell-bent-on-bouncing-back-20230913-p5e4g4.html

Poor Salo really has been through the wringer. A lot of posts in recent weeks questioning his form. Have been more than surprised as to why some people are even wondering what’s up with him  

 

Thanks @Mel Bourne, but not a great time to bump the thread 😂

1 hour ago, Mel Bourne said:

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/i-was-pretty-much-stuck-on-the-couch-for-a-month-why-christian-salem-is-hell-bent-on-bouncing-back-20230913-p5e4g4.html

Poor Salo really has been through the wringer. A lot of posts in recent weeks questioning his form. Have been more than surprised as to why some people are even wondering what’s up with him  

 

Agree... although at the same time he's not performing at his best so it's fair to question whether he holds his spot.  A fit Salem is an absolute weapon!

Having said that, from the quotes it doesn't sound like there's any indication that he is at risk of being dropped so obviously the coaches are happy with his output.

3 hours ago, deelusions from afar said:

Agree... although at the same time he's not performing at his best so it's fair to question whether he holds his spot.  A fit Salem is an absolute weapon!

Having said that, from the quotes it doesn't sound like there's any indication that he is at risk of being dropped so obviously the coaches are happy with his output.

It's disappointing in a lot of ways, because he looked red hot when he first came back in mid way through this season and I thought he made a real impact.

If he had have kicked that goal on the run against Carlton a few weeks back it would have made huge difference and it was the sort of kick you'd normally to expect him to nail, but I guess everyone is human.

I think he's been solid of late, but it could be a real boost to us if he can find that other gear we know he's got over the next few weeks and really tear some games apart.

5 hours ago, Mel Bourne said:

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/i-was-pretty-much-stuck-on-the-couch-for-a-month-why-christian-salem-is-hell-bent-on-bouncing-back-20230913-p5e4g4.html

Poor Salo really has been through the wringer. A lot of posts in recent weeks questioning his form. Have been more than surprised as to why some people are even wondering what’s up with him  

 

I've been critical and feel for him . My criticism is based on in what he has done on the park. Really been down and in our bottom 5 for at least 4-6 weeks. I love him as a player at his best but he is so far off that I question why he is in the team ATM other than reputation

11 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

It's disappointing in a lot of ways, because he looked red hot when he first came back in mid way through this season and I thought he made a real impact.

If he had have kicked that goal on the run against Carlton a few weeks back it would have made huge difference and it was the sort of kick you'd normally to expect him to nail, but I guess everyone is human.

I think he's been solid of late, but it could be a real boost to us if he can find that other gear we know he's got over the next few weeks and really tear some games apart.

There's a big difference bw Salos best and being solid. He is an elite player and your right he came back in such good form he stood out. Lately, not so much.

1 minute ago, leave it to deever said:

There's a big difference bw Salos best and being solid. He is an elite player and your right he came back in such good form he stood out. Lately, not so much.

Agreed, but being the elite player that he is, soild for him is good form for your average player and then he still has that potential up side.

I think his reliable kicking out of defense is also probably something that it structurally pretty import to our backline, contributing tobthat element of stability.

King discussed playing him forward and I actually agree. With Rivers and Bowey coming on his sweet touch kicking could be a weapon in the forward half. It'd also unsettle Carlton, who likely have an eye on a soft tag. The thing is does our needing to stick to structures preclude him moving.

Edited September 14, 20231 yr by Roost it far

I want the Christian Salem from 2021.  Was 2nd best player in the GF team.  
 

He’s lost his sharp disposal.  Erratic up and under kicks. Appears slow to react. Might be form or confidence or just not being 100% right. 

3 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

King discussed playing him forward and I actually agree. With Rivers and Bowey coming on his sweet touch kicking could be a weapon in the forward half. It'd also unsettle Carlton, who likely have an eye on a soft tag. The thing is does our needing to stick to structures preclude him moving.

I actually think he needs to come into the midfield rotation. we need his ball use, he's very clean and Rivers has come on so quickly and effectively pushed him out of his role off half back which is incredible. 

I think we can cover him and he adds a totally different look to the mix 

5 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Thanks @Mel Bourne, but not a great time to bump the thread 😂

Yup! Imagine if some numpty bumped this thread (below) to post an interview article with Christian discussing his AFL journey of recovery from that ACL

 

Edited September 14, 20231 yr by John Demonic

2 hours ago, Roost it far said:

King discussed playing him forward and I actually agree. With Rivers and Bowey coming on his sweet touch kicking could be a weapon in the forward half. It'd also unsettle Carlton, who likely have an eye on a soft tag. The thing is does our needing to stick to structures preclude him moving.

No there's enough quality defenders down there and Salo's experienced enough to handle some time higher up the ground.

While i'm not saying you don't play him in his usual role for a fair chunk, we need to role the die a little here in order to kick a winning score and get him higher up the ground a fair bit.

As long as it isn't Salo doing the kicking for goal that is!  Clear instructions that he must pass it off when the options are there!  Unless he's 25 meters out (or less) and not much angle to speak of.

Edited September 14, 20231 yr by Demon Dynasty

2 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

I want the Christian Salem from 2021.  Was 2nd best player in the GF team.  
 

He’s lost his sharp disposal.  Erratic up and under kicks. Appears slow to react. Might be form or confidence or just not being 100% right. 

So, who does he replace in your top two...Petracca or Fritsch? 

(I do agree he was probably third best, though.)

2 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

I want the Christian Salem from 2021.  Was 2nd best player in the GF team.  
 

He’s lost his sharp disposal.  Erratic up and under kicks. Appears slow to react. Might be form or confidence or just not being 100% right. 

Votes

15 - Christian Petracca, Melbourne
10 - Bayley Fritsch, Melbourne
3 - Clayton Oliver, Melbourne
1 - Christian Salem, Melbourne
1 - Caleb Daniel, Western Bulldogs