Backs becoming gun forwards???

[BoBo 2,953]

This isn’t strictly about Melbourne, just more of a general question, if not allowed, mods please delete and apologies.

I can think of quite a few forwards who were Ok or average at best, then get sent down back and turn into absolute guns (Howe and Dunn are prime examples)... BUT... I’m wondering are there any dedicated defenders that went forward and turned into gun forwards?

 

Go dees!

Edited April 16, 2021 by BoBo

[ManDee 7,336]

Neitz

[BoBo 2,953]

I was pretty young when Neitz started so I don’t remember him as a defender! Thank you 

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,525]

Earl Spalding played both ends.

 

[Demons11 7,125]

Just now, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Earl Spalding played both ends.

 

I wouldn’t call him a Gun 

[Demons11 7,125]

17 minutes ago, BoBo said:

This isn’t strictly about Melbourne, just more of a general question, if not allowed, mods please delete and apologies.

I can think of quite a few forwards who were Ok or average at best, then get sent down back and turn into absolute guns (Howe and Dunn are prime examples)... BUT... I’m wondering are there any dedicated defenders that went forward and turned into gun forwards?

 

Go dees!

Alistair Lynch 

[Demons11 7,125]

I think Gary Lyon started down back 

[BoBo 2,953]

3 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

I think Gary Lyon started down back 

At AFL level?

 

I guess I mean they played 1/2 (or a few seasons) their career down back and then the other 1/2 as a gun forward.

Edited April 16, 2021 by BoBo

[Gorgoroth 13,188]

As stated both Lynch, Neitz were very good defenders.

Silvani easily could have played forward and starred. 
Mal Michael might have gone alright as a permanent forward.

[BoBo 2,953]

8 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

As stated both Lynch, Neitz were very good defenders.

Silvani easily could have played forward and starred. 
Mal Michael might have gone alright as a permanent forward.

The Mal Michael example I would count the same as Howe or Dunn. At Collingwood he was very hit and miss and could never cement himself as a forward. Then went to Brisbane and we all know what he was like as a defender.

 

Michael wasn’t bad up forward but he was obviously way better down back.

Edited April 16, 2021 by BoBo

[monoccular 17,696]

Whilst not “gun” as a forward, I seem to recall Tassie Johnson playing a bit as a CHF (as well as ruck-rover) late in his career.  

Sean Wight was also handy at times as a swing man forward   

 

[Little Goffy 14,784]

Tom McDonald for one!

All I can think of at the moment is players going in the other direction, which would seem more common too.

Liam Jones the first and biggest present example of a player who switched ends and became something completely different.

 

[BradDemonSufferer 134]

I remember when the John Northey sides used to get into trouble he would put Sean Wight and Earl Spalding forward.

 

[DubDee 26,374]

Colin Garland. 

don’t believe me? Look up that bombers game from the ‘dark years’

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

1 hour ago, BoBo said:

This isn’t strictly about Melbourne, just more of a general question, if not allowed, mods please delete and apologies.

I can think of quite a few forwards who were Ok or average at best, then get sent down back and turn into absolute guns (Howe and Dunn are prime examples)... BUT... I’m wondering are there any dedicated defenders that went forward and turned into gun forwards?

 

Go dees!

 

Getting in ahead of Harrison Pettys 5 goal haul this Sunday.  Very wise man!

[deanox 10,052]

Disappointed that no one has mention Oscar McDonald. On track to be the greatest of them all until his recent injury.

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 11,009]

I seem to recall that there was talk of Jessie Hogan being an option to switch to the backline.  Don't think I've ever seen it in action though.

[BoBo 2,953]

2 hours ago, DubDee said:

Colin Garland. 

don’t believe me? Look up that bombers game from the ‘dark years’

Yes, but once again, he didn’t become a gun forward for the rest of his career.

 

I guess I’m looking for a Mal Michael type career... but going from the backline to the forward line.

 

He played 3-4 season as a key forward and was average... then became a backman and dominated.

 

I don’t think there is a player that’s been mentioned that has played 2+ seasons as a key defender and then gone forward and been an absolute gun player. Point being, it’s weird how there are at least 6-7 players in the last 20 years (that I can name) at least that have done a few average seasons as forwards and then become gun backmen.

[BoBo 2,953]

2 hours ago, Little Goffy said:

Tom McDonald for one!

All I can think of at the moment is players going in the other direction, which would seem more common too.

Liam Jones the first and biggest present example of a player who switched ends and became something completely different.

 

Tommy was an absolute star in 2018, but that’s really the only season you would call him a ‘gun’

[Diamond_Jim 12,715]

Ray Biffin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Biffin

[Deestroy All 14,266]

Pavlich. Might've heard of him.

[Dees2014 2,377]

5 hours ago, BoBo said:

I was pretty young when Neitz started so I don’t remember him as a defender! Thank you 

Rated by Wayne Carey as the best CHB he ever played on. A very talented footballer and leader out Neiter. Would be an excellent addition to those mediocracies on Seven and Fox footy.

[Fanatique Demon 2,695]

Remember Brent Crosswell? Barassi used to switch him from end to end. And Crosswell truly was a gun.

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,765]

Gary Ablett Sr. was a half back flanker.

[ProperDee 1,698]

Chris Grant.