Jump to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
Demonland

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Backs becoming gun forwards???

BoBo
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

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 by BoBo

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • BoBo changed the title to Backs becoming gun forwards???
     

    Neitz

  • Quote
    • Like 7
    • Thanks 1
    • Author

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

  • Quote
    •  

    Earl Spalding played both ends.

     

  • Quote

    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 

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1
    • Author
    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 by BoBo

  • Quote
    •  

    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.

  • Quote
    • Author
    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 by BoBo

  • Quote

    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   

     

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    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.

     

  • Quote

    Colin Garland. 

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

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Love 3
    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!

  • Quote

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

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    • Author
    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.

  • Quote
    • Author
    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’

  • Quote

    Pavlich. Might've heard of him.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    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.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Haha 1
     

    Gary Ablett Sr. was a half back flanker.

  • Quote

    Chris Grant.

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    https://demonland.com/forums/topic/49968-backs-becoming-gun-forwards/
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • TRAINING: Friday 14th November 2025

      It was a beautiful sunny morning for a preseason training run out at Gosch's Paddock and a couple of Demonland Trackwatchers were in attendance to bring your their observations on the last session of the first week of the 2026 campaign.

      • 2 replies
      Demonland

    • AFLW PREVIEW: Adelaide

      Noffy, Hatchy and Randy lead Adelaide’s finals-hardened flock to IKON Park for a blockbuster semi-final against Kate Hore and Hanksy’s mighty Demons.  Adelaide has dropped four of its past five matches at this ground — let’s hope that trend holds.  But don’t expect charity — Doc Clarke brings an experienced, battle-worthy murder of Crows.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • 2026 AFL Fixture

      The Demons 2026 AFL Fixture is as good as can be expected considering their performances and finishes the past two seasons. Sunday games and late afternoon starts are on the menu with only 1 Friday night fixture until Round 15. They will travel 8 times including their home game in the Alice, their Gather Round game as well as a match against the Hawks in Tasmania. They will face, the Bombers, Bulldogs, the Suns, the Tigers, the Hawks and the Dockers twice.

      • 307 replies
      spirit of norm smith

    • TRAINING: Wednesday 12th November 2025

      A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's paddock to give you their brief observations on the second day of preseason training in the lead up to the 2026 Premiership Season.

      • 1 reply
      Demonland

    • TRAINING: Monday 10th November 2025

      Several Demonland Trackwatchers were on hand at Gosch’s Paddock to share their observations from the opening day of preseason training, featuring the club’s 1st to 4th year players along with a few veterans and some fresh faces.

      • 1 reply
      Demonland

    • AFLW REPORT: Brisbane

      Melbourne returned to its city citadel, IKON Park, boasting a 10–2 home record and celebrating its 100th AFLW matchwith 3,711 fans creating a finals atmosphere. But in a repeat of Round 11, Brisbane proved too strong, too fit, and too relentless.  They brought their kicking boots: 9 goals, 2 points.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
    View All

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.