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Backs becoming gun forwards???

BoBo
in Melbourne Demons

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Posted

This isnโ€™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... Iโ€™m wondering are there any dedicated defenders that went forward and turned into gun forwards?

ย 

Go dees!

Edited by BoBo

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    • BoBo changed the title to Backs becoming gun forwards???
    ย 

    Neitz

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    I was pretty young when Neitz started so I donโ€™t remember him as a defender! Thank youย 

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    • ย 

    Earl Spalding played both ends.

    ย 

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    Just now, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

    Earl Spalding played both ends.

    ย 

    I wouldnโ€™t call him a Gunย 

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    17 minutes ago, BoBo said:

    This isnโ€™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... Iโ€™m wondering are there any dedicated defenders that went forward and turned into gun forwards?

    ย 

    Go dees!

    Alistair Lynchย 

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    3 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

    I think Gary Lyon started down backย 

    At AFL level?

    ย 

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

    Edited by BoBo

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    As stated both Lynch, Neitz were very good defenders.

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

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    8 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

    As stated both Lynch, Neitz were very good defenders.

    Silvani easily could have played forward and starred.ย 
    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.

    ย 

    Michael wasnโ€™t bad up forward but he was obviously way better down back.

    Edited by BoBo

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    Whilst not โ€œgunโ€ as a forward, I seem to recall Tassie Johnson playing a bit as a CHF (as well as ruck-rover) late in his career. ย 

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

    ย 

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    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.

    ย 

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    Colin Garland.ย 

    donโ€™t believe me? Look up that bombers game from the โ€˜dark yearsโ€™

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    1 hour ago, BoBo said:

    This isnโ€™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... Iโ€™m wondering are there any dedicated defenders that went forward and turned into gun forwards?

    ย 

    Go dees!

    ย 

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

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

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    2 hours ago, DubDee said:

    Colin Garland.ย 

    donโ€™t believe me? Look up that bombers game from the โ€˜dark yearsโ€™

    Yes, but once again, he didnโ€™t become a gun forward for the rest of his career.

    ย 

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

    ย 

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

    ย 

    I donโ€™t think there is a player thatโ€™s been mentioned that has played 2+ seasons as a key defender and then gone forward and been an absolute gun player. Point being, itโ€™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.

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    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.

    ย 

    Tommy was an absolute star in 2018, but thatโ€™s really the only season you would call him a โ€˜gunโ€™

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    Pavlich. Might've heard of him.

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    5 hours ago, BoBo said:

    I was pretty young when Neitz started so I donโ€™t remember him as a defender! Thank youย 

    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.

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    ย 

    Gary Ablett Sr. was a half back flanker.

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    Chris Grant.

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