I must say that was Dunn best game every, i think Dunn has finally realised what he needs to do at this level to secede, he is going a lot harder at the footy now, the biggest thing in his improvement, is he is playing a lot closer to goal, he is a natural forward, he knows where the goals are.i cant see any other forward getting dropped to allow miller back, miller did kick 10 goals the other day, but when every miller kicks a bag he goes missing for about a month. But this is about Dunn not old miller, i just hope he players like that for the rest of his career, he might still be the replacement for nitze.(don't kill me for wrong spelling).

*Neitz

No one will be dropped for Miller..... I hope.

When did miller kick 10?

When did miller kick 10?

Been living under a rock, mate? Or was that pure sarcasm aimed at trying to forget the obvious...?

Doubt miller will get back this week...or again this year

I'm getting just a little bit excited about the prospect of a Dunn and Petterd forward setup... a couple of real handy players to have drifting around each side of the F50!

I'm getting just a little bit excited about the prospect of a Dunn and Petterd forward setup... a couple of real handy players to have drifting around each side of the F50!

Bate must wonder if he can get back in the side but at the moment I would have to say no.

Actually from the reports I've read Richmond could probably do with a player like him to help in the forward line.

Bate must wonder if he can get back in the side but at the moment I would have to say no.

Actually from the reports I've read Richmond could probably do with a player like him to help in the forward line.

I was wondering how long it'd take for this to come up. Bate will be fine.

I'm amazed at how little we're seeing written about Dunn. He lined up on Deledio who's in career best form, and has kicked 3, 3 and 5 the last 3 weeks.

We bandy around the term "breakout game" a lot, but surely we can use it here?

Dunn's 'breakout' game was when he kicked 8 for Casey. Not at AFL level obviously, but he has not looked back since. He's unrecognisable as the player he was as recently as the first half of this season.

I can imagine down the track a Grand Final team with a Forward Line as such...

Dunn Watts Petterd

Tapscott Green Jurrah

I wonder what kind of contract Dunny has got with the club. I havent heard where he is with regards to that.

To have a defensive forward who can kick bags and has a big tank is someone worth keeping as they are as rare as hens teeth.

Miller in ! drop Bailey!

Miller in ! drop Bailey!

And your reason ?

And your reason ?

Maybe it's unfair, but I can't help but be a bit cynical.

The thing that makes Dunn and for that matter Petterd so valuable is they have natural forward instincts and can take marks. They are dangerous options so when they play as defensive forwards they are invaluable compared to other guys in the league who have held similar positions.

Dunn is particularly impressive because what is he 192cm? He doesn't exactly play like the tallest 190+ guy around but still if you have him in a marking contest against a 185cm guy he has a massive advantage.

I'm getting worried about Bate because watching Geelong, Coll and StKilda the only medium forward who doesn't have strong defensive pressure out of those 3 teams is Stevie J. They fill the rest of the forward line with midfielders or speedy smalls. The medium forward is out of vogue at the moment. Petterd, Dunn and Jurrah will survive due to their ability to put on forward pressure, and Green because he is damn good and can play in the middle. Bate either has to really step it up, or increase his forward pressure.

The thing that makes Dunn and for that matter Petterd so valuable is they have natural forward instincts and can take marks. They are dangerous options so when they play as defensive forwards they are invaluable compared to other guys in the league who have held similar positions.

Dunn is particularly impressive because what is he 192cm? He doesn't exactly play like the tallest 190+ guy around but still if you have him in a marking contest against a 185cm guy he has a massive advantage.

I'm getting worried about Bate because watching Geelong, Coll and StKilda the only medium forward who doesn't have strong defensive pressure out of those 3 teams is Stevie J. They fill the rest of the forward line with midfielders or speedy smalls. The medium forward is out of vogue at the moment. Petterd, Dunn and Jurrah will survive due to their ability to put on forward pressure, and Green because he is damn good and can play in the middle. Bate either has to really step it up, or increase his forward pressure.

Agreed on Bate. If he does not improve his forward defensive pressure, there will be no spot for him. Bailey has demonstrated that he is not afraid to play an unconventional forward line, and our results when we do so are no worse, arguably better. So he cannot rely on his height or reputation in order to get a game. But the other problem for Bater is that he has to impose himself on games a lot more. Either he has to be taking a lot more marks up the ground, or he needs to be banking 3 goals/week.

On Dunn, I was speaking to Bomber Riley a couple of years ago (once he left us) and he made the comment that Dunn was a midfielder with a forward's body and Sylvia was a forward with a midfielder's body. I think that comment speaks true for the challenge Dunn has always faced - do we play him forward, where he doesn't take a lot of contested marks, etc... or do we play him in the middle, where he might be more naturally inclined?

Dunn's 'breakout' game was when he kicked 8 for Casey. Not at AFL level obviously, but he has not looked back since. He's unrecognisable as the player he was as recently as the first half of this season.

Yeah, I think what I meant was in the wider football world in terms of reputation, you'd have to assume clubs will now take notice of him. Given he can kick them a long way, and pretty straight now... AND snap them from the pocket. Opposition clubs will rate him you'd think, and amongst other supporters, he'll worry armchair selectors. Only a bag at AFL level does that.

I'd also say while he certainly is playing better, I reckon he played much the same kind of footy before he was dropped. He just wasn't kicking anywhere near as straight.

Also... The opposition yesterday was no Geelong. I have nothing but respect for the Tiges and what they've done this year, but they still have, and will have for a while some gaping holes that more settled sides like ours can exploit.

I was wondering how long it'd take for this to come up. Bate will be fine.

I'm amazed at how little we're seeing written about Dunn. He lined up on Deledio who's in career best form, and has kicked 3, 3 and 5 the last 3 weeks.

We bandy around the term "breakout game" a lot, but surely we can use it here?

I actually quite like Bate and would hate to see him go but I just can't see him being a regular player in the future based on who we have at the moment and who is coming back. Dunn's form may drop off and he could replace him I guess but who else? I like the idea of having a left footer in the forward line but Green is our left footer and he isn't going anywhere at the moment.

Bate still doesn't look 100% fit to me, he seems to have been trying to throw off these niggling injuries for most of the season and he's slipped back as a result. Amazed that some have him written off already. When he's on song, he's definitely worth a place in the 22

I actually quite like Bate and would hate to see him go but I just can't see him being a regular player in the future based on who we have at the moment and who is coming back. Dunn's form may drop off and he could replace him I guess but who else? I like the idea of having a left footer in the forward line but Green is our left footer and he isn't going anywhere at the moment.

Yeah, that's pretty much how I feel. I'm still not quiiiite sold on Dunn. I'd like to see him replicate his 3-goal efforts more consistently against the bigger sides before I put his name in pen on the team-sheet. Bate's done it as well as Dunn (last weekend notwithstanding) for longer, with many more good days in which he kicked bags as well as other games where he just linked up beautifully.

I have a lot of faith in Bater, but I do realise that with an up-and-running Watts and Jurrah, there's only really one spot left in there. Maybe two if the matchups require (no second ruck, or maybe longer grounds where we have space for all that tall timber).

I think what I meant to say was that I reckon it's a bit too early to imply he's trade material. Dunn's been very good for two weeks and stunning for one. All in all, I just like the fact that if you go on the model where we need 3 tall forwards, then you could say we have 4 in our best 22 in Dunn, Watts, Jurrah and Bate. Which means more competition as well as depth should injury come for us in 2011, which of course it always does. If they can hold their form and never look back, you could go so far as to say they resemble our 4 big defenders. ie Watts, Jurrah, Bate and Dunn = Frawley, Garland, Rivers and Warnock... all 4 of which have been a resounding success.

Dunn's 'breakout' game was when he kicked 8 for Casey. Not at AFL level obviously, but he has not looked back since. He's unrecognisable as the player he was as recently as the first half of this season.

is that because of the mo

Bate must wonder if he can get back in the side but at the moment I would have to say no.

Actually from the reports I've read Richmond could probably do with a player like him to help in the forward line.

Bate will have to learn a few more tricks, and learn to recover and turn quicker than USS Enterprise. I am sure he does have talent, but others do as well as the other basic attribute. If he can sometime force his way into this team he will be doing very well.

But back to the topic - I agree that this was Dunn's best game - he seems to relish the contest, and has learned to be fully accountable for his defender.

Are there stats - indeed can there be - on who is on which rebounding defender and how they do. He has shut down a few this season - the much criticised (including by me) experiment as a tagger have given him the confidence to do this.

I have liked Lyndon Dunn and followed his progress but I did believe he was nearly washed up early this season. I always thought he had the potential to be one of the most complete footballers around and now it appears he may deliver. Green, Jurrah, Watts, Dunn and also Bate make for a very exciting forward line mix up for the future.

Okey doke. Does anyone think Dunn will go to Hodge on the weekend?

I'm for it.

I agree, strike while the knifes is hot. Hodge has been out of form lately and Dunn's firing.

Okey doke. Does anyone think Dunn will go to Hodge on the weekend?

I'm for it.

One things for certain Hodge won't be able to ignore him if he does play on him, Dunn can kick goals and apply defensive pressure.

Dunn is a big unit I used to see him regularly at the G when he was playing for Casey the next day and he is quite a size with a bit of pace as well.