Melbourne midfielder Christian Salem is poised to sign a new two-year deal
Melbourne has bullet-proofed its star-studded midfield from a poaching raid with playmaker Christian Salem poised to sign a new deal. That only leaves one young Demon who is unsigned. But that deal looks a way off.
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Melbourne has bullet-proofed its star-studded midfield from a poaching raid with playmaker Christian Salem poised to sign a fresh two-year deal.
The Dees have locked away all of their young gun midfielders including Clayton Oliver and Angus Brayshaw on long-term contracts and will this month secure Salem’s future until the end of 2021.
The Herald Sun understands the extension for Salem, 23, will be finalised before the club’s Round 1 clash against Port Adelaide at the MCG.
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A silky left-footer, Salem is regarded as Melbourne’s most damaging ball-user in the back half of the ground, recording the second best kick-rating (minimum 200 kicks) in the league last season, according to Champion Data.
However, Melbourne is set to use Salem more on the wing this season to help capitalise on his deadly kicking skills up the ground.
His new deal comes off a career-best fifth AFL season for the No. 9 draft pick, who finished eighth in the best and fairest from 24 games.
Importantly, Salem’s extension means the club’s core group of youngsters will remain together for at least the next few seasons, as coach Simon Goodwin’s men look to break the longest premiership drought in the game.
Christian Petracca, James Harmes, Jack Viney are contracted until the end of 2020, while superstar ruckman Max Gawn, Neville Jetta, Oliver (all 2021), Angus Brayshaw, Jake Melksham and Tom McDonald (2022) have also all recommitted.
Oliver and Brayshaw, in particular, were both outstanding in the Dees’ narrow JLT Series loss to Richmond on Sunday, gathering 69 possessions in Shepparton.
The Demons have not won a flag since 1964, but have built one of the most talented young lists in the competition who are now all signed-up, except for key forward Sam Weideman.
While Melbourne’s retention strategy has been in full swing for more than a year, talks on a new deal with Weideman could take several more months.
Currently, the club and Weideman’s management remain apart in negotiations, but that gap is expected to close when the colt forward establishes himself at AFL level.
Weideman, 21, has an opportunity to replace departed spearhead Jesse Hogan after booting three goals in a breakout win over Geelong in last year’s elimination final.
The 195cm goal kicker told the Herald Sun last month he wanted to stay.
“I love the club, I love where it is heading,” Weideman said.
“Everything the club has got going for it is fantastic, so I would love to say it is home for as long as it can be.
“But I just want to play good footy, that’s the main thing, and that (contract) will sort itself out.
“I’m focused on getting out on the park, playing well and winning games.”
Originally published as Melbourne midfielder Christian Salem is poised to sign a new two-year deal
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