I'm keen to hear from others about Melbourne's reluctance to play Lynden Dunn as a forward. He showed genuine potential when playing as a floating forward early in his career, and one assumed that when he put on some extra bulk he could become a key position player given his soild endurance. A very good kick and safe pair hands, it still baffles me why we have persisted with him in the midfield and even in defence when we have such a shortage of tall forwards. Thoughts?

Been saying it for ages too mate

I find it incredible that he is not played up forward.

I would rather play Ricky in the midfield if thats what needs to be done to move space for Dunn in the forward line lol

I'm keen to hear from others about Melbourne's reluctance to play Lynden Dunn as a forward. He showed genuine potential when playing as a floating forward early in his career, and one assumed that when he put on some extra bulk he could become a key position player given his soild endurance. A very good kick and safe pair hands, it still baffles me why we have persisted with him in the midfield and even in defence when we have such a shortage of tall forwards. Thoughts?

Agree - give him a chance to settle - I'm sure he has what it takes:angry:

He's built like Tarzan but........ <_<

May aswell, but i do like pettard down there too

He doesn't play forward because he was crap there. Couldn't mark overhead, only collected crumbing opportunistic goals at the heels of Robbo and Nieta. Back when we had a season to play for he wasn't showing enough.

Now that he's gotten a bit bigger and wiser, there really isn't any reason why he can't be tried there again. It couldn't possibly get worse. He'd only need to chip in with 2 or 3, and keep up his good work as a tall tagger. Then when the team has been recruited and is settled in a couple of years they can reassess and see if it's worth keeping him on the list.

I imagine it also had a lot to do with the coaching staff wanting to exploit his engine -- he can run all day. As it turns out he's not much of a midfielder though.

He has been tried there before and as Nasher quite rightly pointed out he has an engine for the midfield but at this point he only seems suited to tagging midfielders. He could be tried again but when you have the likes of miller sylvia petterd and bate being more effective than Dunn himself well ..

I'm keen to hear from others about Melbourne's reluctance to play Lynden Dunn as a forward. He showed genuine potential when playing as a floating forward early in his career, and one assumed that when he put on some extra bulk he could become a key position player given his soild endurance. A very good kick and safe pair hands, it still baffles me why we have persisted with him in the midfield and even in defence when we have such a shortage of tall forwards. Thoughts?

I remember him playing around the flanks before we formed any opinions on him, he wouldn't meet the ball, but waited for the ball to reach him. Defenders would chop in front of him & out mark him. It seems as well he doesn't like physical pressure.

He doesn't play forward because he was crap there. Couldn't mark overhead, only collected crumbing opportunistic goals at the heels of Robbo and Nieta. Back when we had a season to play for he wasn't showing enough.

Now that he's gotten a bit bigger and wiser, there really isn't any reason why he can't be tried there again. It couldn't possibly get worse. He'd only need to chip in with 2 or 3, and keep up his good work as a tall tagger. Then when the team has been recruited and is settled in a couple of years they can reassess and see if it's worth keeping him on the list.

Absolutely agree, he is all at sea in marking contests, will never be a kpp or be able to be played as a tall. Not elusive enough to be a genuine crumber either.

Why not play him as a forward?

Rule # 1 in coaching.

Never go for the simple solution.

Even if his marking isn't any good we need someone who can get the ball in the forward line and keep it there. When Dunn played on the forward line, he used to kick goals. Is that a priority these days?

Even if his marking isn't any good we need someone who can get the ball in the forward line and keep it there. When Dunn played on the forward line, he used to kick goals. Is that a priority these days?

Do you understand why Bailey has him tagging opposition players? Too increase his accountability for the contested ball and his capacity to actually win it.

Dee-luded's observations are pretty fair assessment of Dunn.

Terrible, terrible player

He doesn't play forward because he was crap there. Couldn't mark overhead, only collected crumbing opportunistic goals at the heels of Robbo and Nieta. Back when we had a season to play for he wasn't showing enough.

Now that he's gotten a bit bigger and wiser, there really isn't any reason why he can't be tried there again. It couldn't possibly get worse. He'd only need to chip in with 2 or 3, and keep up his good work as a tall tagger. Then when the team has been recruited and is settled in a couple of years they can reassess and see if it's worth keeping him on the list.

I agree. When Dunn debuted there was a lot of hype about him, and for a while he was playing well as a half forward.

Since he's gone back he has not achieved much, so there is no reason why he can't be playing forward again and kicking a couple of goals a game.

If he has such a big tank then why not play him forward and tell him to keep leading and running all day. Run the defender into the ground and maybe pick up a goal or two while he is at it. Just a thought.

Another Craig Cameron stuff up.

Luke Molan and Daniel Bell were first rounders also.

Thanks for nothing, Craig.

Dunn's hanging from a thread so I think it's play him forward or drop him.

Rule # 1 in coaching.

Never go for the simple solution.

Even if his marking isn't any good we need someone who can get the ball in the forward line and keep it there. When Dunn played on the forward line, he used to kick goals. Is that a priority these days?

No, not at the expense of teaching a real player who will fill a long term role for the team. The future is what this year is about, not the now, we're rebuilding.

If he has a future, if he can learn a role, I think it will be in the mids or defence.

Another Craig Cameron stuff up.

Luke Molan and Daniel Bell were first rounders also.

Thanks for nothing, Craig.

Brent Reilly

Nick Dal Santo

Two players who were drafted after luke molan tut tut craig

Brent Reilly

Nick Dal Santo

Two players who were drafted after luke molan tut tut craig

I have to agree with Chelly. Some blokes that can actually kick goals in our forward line would be handy and Dunn has showed that he has promise there, not to mention extra inches. Why waste someone like him as a tagger who doesn't pick up any possessions in the midfield. I'd rather have Simon Godfrey playing that role!

I think Dunn has been given a good all round football education in recent years with his stint in the midfield in a run with role afte starting as a half forward. Now is the time to try him once again up forward. He is 192cm, has good endurance, has built up to 93 kg and can take a mark and has good instincts around goal. Should be challenged to play as a high half forward role a la Ryan O'Keefe. I'd certanly be more confident kicking to Dunn than Pettard as the later is not really strong enough yet be strong in contested marking situations. Bailey should lay it on the line to Dunn. At his height, strength and with his endurance he should be a hard match up for opposing defenders.

What am I thinking. He is a hack, all our players are hacks, lets trade em all for picks for kids who we can trade for more picks for kids who we can then trade for more picks for kids who we can then trade for more picks for kids, repeat ad nauseum. Must trade. Trade someone. Trade anyone. Do it. Do it now. I want to discuss possible trades endlessly. Trade. Must trade.

Can anyone provide me an answer as to why we couldnt play Johnson up forward?

After Meesens moderate success over the weekend, play both him and Spencer, and use Johnsons height, speed and relative accuracy to KICK SOME GOALS!!!!!

At the very least, its another option and would really stretch the Richmond defense.

Can anyone provide me an answer as to why we couldnt play Johnson up forward?

We can, we can also play a donkey up forward too. Doesn't mean either will be any good at it.

PJ is a proven failure as a forward. He can't take contested marks, his kicking is dodgy, and having him up forward is just going to clog up the space for Bate and Miller. I much rather play a small in there, e.g.- Maric. We do not need another goal post in the forward 50.

Dunn kicked goals early in his career because he had great recovery - and good goal sense.

Daniher started playing him in the mid field and Bailey has continued on from there.

With our lack of forwards- I'd certainly try him there again. It's hard to find people who know where the goals are"" - ands as an 18 year old he did