Dunn - Mr Reliable

[titan_uranus 25,016]

Dunn was fantastic last year. Read back through this thread* and you'll a couple of us trying to convince you fellas but you wouldn't listen. Now you're all crediting Roosy, which is pretty unfair on Dunny himself I think. Yes, he's flourishing under Roos because the whole team is functioning as a unit, but he was well and truly committed (and playing well) long before Roosy took over.

* Machsy in particular will love that thread.

I would have thought you'd be the first to accept that just because a few people thought something before the majority did doesn't mean they necessarily were right.

The issues that were identified in that thread were all present up until this year - the faux aggression, the OTT niggling, the poor up-and-under kicking. Yes, the defensive work was there last year, though we can probably still debate whether or not the statistics relating to his one-on-one prowess were that valuable in the circumstances.

For the most part of his career, Dunn's been a poor performer. Last year he may have taken some steps towards the player he is now, but the true flourish has come this year.

[jnrmac 20,060]

I think you are being very very generous saying he has been good for a few years now. He has showed glimpses over a few years that he could be a good player and every now and then played a whole game where he was great. Still, they were few and far between.

I was sick of him and I wrote him off last year honestly. Put him in the 'flat track bully' category.

Glad he has proved me completely wrong and loving his work at the moment, has a fantastic leg on him.

Good boy

Then I am sorry but you are a poor judge. Was beaten once in one on one contests last year, The club loves him.

[hardtack 10,537]

Roos has been the making of him, he was always capable of playing good football the simple fact is he didn't.

All the bravado and senseless aggression has disappeared and we now have a footballer instead. I said the other day that I feel completely safe if he is going for a mark or spoil whereas last year you would never know what he'd do.

I think he has played good football, but unfortunately it was always overshadowed by his misplaced aggression. Year before last he had what could be considered a breakout season, but last year went backwards a little with his disposal in particular, but I put that down to the fact that our defence was constantly under far too much pressure. I think the fact that Roos is what I would consider a "no nonsense" coach and having a formidable reputation (messiah effect) has probably made Dunn reconsider his role and has helped him to focus on the play rather than the player.

[binman 42,931]

but last year went backwards a little with his disposal in particular, but I put that down to the fact that our defence was constantly under far too much pressure.

He came 6th in the bluey and in my view should have come higher. Had a great year. IMO was the the best player behind Jones.

Edited May 20, 2014 by binman

[Oneday 248]

It is great to see his football stepping up to another level. But the thing I have been most impressed with has been his on and off field leadership. One moment stood out to me this year and that was after the Carlton win, yes that's right we beat Carlton, (sorry just love saying that as I love beating them as I have lost many a bet with my brother over the last 6 or so years) in the rooms he was the one directing all the players in the huddle and it was great to see him grab one of the photographers and get them out of the circle as it was for the players and staff only to enjoy that moment.

He seems to have a new found confidence and knows what his role is.

[hardtack 10,537]

He came 6th in the bluey and in my view should have come higher. Had a great year. IMO was the the best player behind Jones.

I'm not saying he had a bad year last year... I meant he took a step back compared to his 2012. Let's face it, in last year's Bluey it was Jones followed by daylight and the rest didn't really matter.

[binman 42,931]

I'm not saying he had a bad year last year... I meant he took a step back compared to his 2012. Let's face it, in last year's Bluey it was Jones followed by daylight and the rest didn't really matter.

Ok. I disagree though. I thought last year was his best at the club - and this year he is even better.

[Nasher 33,616]

I'm not saying he had a bad year last year... I meant he took a step back compared to his 2012. Let's face it, in last year's Bluey it was Jones followed by daylight and the rest didn't really matter.

Jones, Garland, daylight.

[hardtack 10,537]

Ok. I disagree though. I thought last year was his best at the club - and this year he is even better.

I'm loving his year this year.

[binman 42,931]

Jones, Garland, daylight.

Actually good call - Garland was excellent last year (and now he has some time to get fit and rad=y with some match touch he will be a big bonus in the second half of the year).

Would you accept: Jones, Garland, Dunn then daylight.

[Red N Blue Society 165]

Yes Dunny is becoming more reliable thats for sure...wont shirk a pack contest and is taking a few grabs down there.

His kicking out has become very reliable & he doesnt try to over do it with 7 handballs in a row. He boots it 50 metres! I love that!

I posted a while ago that he was starting to really play well..and as some of you have put it...now that the team is playing as a TEAM..its even more glaringly obvious!

[Maple Demon 449]

Does Dunn have another nickname other than Dunny? Given that (as far as I understand) dunny is another word for a crapper, he deserves something better as he is much better than that.

[Je Roos Salem 661]

His defensive efforts have been what has made him so reliable, up until recently his kicking in/decision making was disappointing, but I've noticed more confidence in the past few weeks.

[deeko 952]

Firstly, apologies about the response here

it funny how views can be so different about players. I'm totally with gnf on dunn. Apart from Jones was our vest and most consistent last year. Was not as consistent the previous year but still good and prior to that has always been in our best 22. Doesn't miss games. Despite his reputation for misplaced aggression rarely been reported. Adapts to different roles. In our best 5 players. Oh yeah - would love to see him on the DL banner!

He was most consistent stats wise last year and was always getting a bit of the pill. My issue last season however was he was playing the easiest role on the field most weeks playing loose across the HBF or on the oppositions 4th / 5th best forward. I remember him playing a couple good shut down games as well which was a good effort in a team getting pumped. Still, I never expected anything more than the occasional glimpse from Dunny and was tired of waiting for him to mature.

In a very dark period Dunn was performing last year I thought and he has got better this year for sure. God we didn't have much going last year to pick out Dunn as the problem.

Not saying he was the problem at all however in this dark period I would never say he would have provided any light to assist us improve

Then I am sorry but you are a poor judge. Was beaten once in one on one contests last year, The club loves him.

At the time I was arguing this point about rarely being beaten in the one on ones as I stated above, was always playing on the 4th / 5th best forwards or just playing loose. I can't recall him playing on a Cloke, Tippett, Riewoldt etc that really would have seen this point challenged.

But....

Yes, I can't deny the fact how well he has played this year and when giving an opinion on Lynden I was definitely a poor judge. I would have traded him years ago. He has been fantastic so far this season and I honestly couldn't be happier for him and the team. I love the fact he using his leg as a weapon and is taking key forwards now freeing up Chip

Always happy to proven wrong by a player exceeding my expectations.

[Webber 10,468]

Dunn was very good last year, and better this year with a better coach/team supporting. All down to the maturity that comes with age and experience. Late 20's are the peak performance years. Few supporters can go the distance to this end when inconsistency and lack of leadership cruels good players in their early twenties / under 70 games experience. Also the big boys take just that couple of years longer. Patience.....

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,754]

Does Dunn have another nickname other than Dunny? Given that (as far as I understand) dunny is another word for a crapper, he deserves something better as he is much better than that.

Just think of it as traditional Australian irony, such as, "Bluey" for redheads, "Lofty" for undersized people and "Tiny" for overweight people. Then it doesn't seem so bad.

[chook fowler 19,458]

Must've one of the first picked these days. Credit to him. May make the All Australian squad.

[dpositive 1,665]

Does Dunn have another nickname other than Dunny? Given that (as far as I understand) dunny is another word for a crapper, he deserves something better as he is much better than that.

Nothing beats the compliment "As solid as a brick shithouse" Thats Dunny

[Dr John Dee 1,057]

Does Dunn have another nickname other than Dunny? Given that (as far as I understand) dunny is another word for a crapper, he deserves something better as he is much better than that.

Actually, Maple, that's a dunnie. Dunny sounds entirely different.

[binman 42,931]

Actually, Maple, that's a dunnie. Dunny sounds entirely different.

dunny is french for impassable. Pronounced dooonee