Christian Salem determined to break into Melbourne’s midfield after going hard over summer

Christian Salem had every right to put his feet up after a career-best season but the Demons defender crushed 48 extra gut-busting fitness sessions during his holiday break.

Melbourne defender Christian Salem pushed himself over summer in a bid to break into the Demons’ midfield. Picture: Matthew Goodrope

Christian Salem knew he had no other choice.

As the sweat dripped off him at an Abbbotsford boxing gym — when many of his teammates were enjoying a well-earned rest — the Melbourne footballer was hard at work.

It was late last year and Salem had every right to be putting his feet up.

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He had just emerged from a career-best season and the club was coming off its first finals appearance in more than a decade.

Instead, as he smashed out 12 fitness sessions a week across a month-long block at Tribute Boxing and Fitness Centre that was meant to be his downtime, the 23-year-old made a commitment to himself on two fronts.

The first was to maintain his body in a good healthy state, after finally managing to brush off a frustrating injury-interrupted start to his time at the club.

The second was to make sure he was ready for the club’s challenge to see if the silky-smooth defender can transform into an occasional midfielder in 2019.

Christian Salem training with teammates during the Demons’ training camp in Marrochydore. Picture: Matthew Goodrope

“I did something pretty similar (with Tribute) in the previous year’s off-season, and it really gave me confidence in my body,” Salem told the Herald Sun from the Demons’ camp at Maroochydore.

“That helped to allow me stay on the park more (in 2018). I was a lot stronger and quicker. I knew as soon as last season ended that I needed to do it again to make sure I start on the right foot (in 2019).

“Speaking with the coaches, they thought it was a good idea (to stick with the personal trainer), and to try and put some strength on and hopefully go to the next level.

“I’m not satisfied with where I’m at right now. I still feel as if I have another level to go to.”

A host of injuries and ailments — everything from a thyroid condition early on, to hamstring issues, to even being concussed after a brick fell on his head during a 2017 preseason camp — meant Salem managed only 46 games from his first four seasons.

But an almost seamless run through 2018 — playing 24 of a possible 25 games, including three finals — showed why Melbourne was willing to use pick 9 on Salem in the 2013 draft.

“It was a much better year all round,” he said.

“I missed one game with a broken thumb, but we all learnt so much from our experiences.”

Christian Salem does some one-on-one work with coach Simon Goodwin. Picture: Matthew Goodrope

Now he is keen to take on a new challenge of spending time in what is already rated by Champion Data as the best midfield in the competition.

“I’ve been training with the backline and the midfield groups,” he said.

“Where I play obviously will depend on the team’s needs at that stage, but it is good to be flexible as a player. If I can spend some time in the midfield, that’d be great.”

He’s sharing rooms with star midfielder Clayton Oliver, as well as Billy Stretch, on this week’s camp, but he’s more impressed with Oliver’s football than his housekeeping.

“’Clarry’ is the messy one,” Salem laughed.

“Billy is actually pretty good, he is a bit of a neat freak, so he is keep us both in check.”

A superb user of the ball, and a cool customer under pressure, Salem was one of the reasons why the Demons were compelling viewing in 2018, finishing eighth in the best and fairest.

Demons defender Christian Salem had a career-best season in 2018. Picture: AAP

But he says the club’s 66-point ambush at the hands of eventual premier West Coast in a lopsided preliminary final — following big September wins over Geelong and Hawthorn — remains the ultimate motivator.

“We came a long way last year, but that (game) shows that if you are slightly off, teams will make you pay,” he said.

“We don’t read too much into what other people are saying about us. The coaches have got faith in us that we can go to the next level. We know internally what we have to do to get there — and we will find a way to get there.”