It's being reported that the Demons are interested in Luke Dunstan who hit a purple patch in mid season for the Saints who haven't offered him a new contract.

Dunstan played 12 games for the Saints in 2021, averaging 25 disposals, six clearances and five tackles, and also polling 11 Brownlow votes.

Come to the Dees Luke... Come to the Dees! 

Is he what we need though? 

Wouldn't we rather see Jordon/Sparrow get more time than Dunstan. 

Yes he had a nice little patch in the middle of the year, but he's also not the best kick, work rate is average and doesn't have anything that really stands out. 

I like him as a player, just worried he will take minutes from Jordon and Sparrow who are developing extremely well. 

I agree he has AFL talent and was frustrated at the Saints at being behind Steele, Ross and Crouch. Got squeezed out. 
He would be behind Petracca, Oliver, Viney and competing with Sparrow and Jordon for future roles. 
He would command a starting role at other teams such as the Pies and even now perhaps the Tigers.  
Not sure we are the right next step. 

1 minute ago, WA Demon Boy said:

Is he what we need though? 

Wouldn't we rather see Jordon/Sparrow get more time than Dunstan. 

Yes he had a nice little patch in the middle of the year, but he's also not the best kick, work rate is average and doesn't have anything that really stands out. 

I like him as a player, just worried he will take minutes from Jordon and Sparrow who are developing extremely well. 

@WA Demon Boy I think he would be 'in case of emergency break glass' for us so we have midfield depth. Clayton, Tracc and Viney may have little niggles throughout next year so Dunstan could be good for our second midfield unit.

2 minutes ago, Marcus94 said:

@WA Demon Boy I think he would be 'in case of emergency break glass' for us so we have midfield depth. Clayton, Tracc and Viney may have little niggles throughout next year so Dunstan could be good for our second midfield unit.

If he wants that role then fair enough. 

Surely would rather take a starting role somewhere else? I'd be stunned if he played more than 10 games for us (barring injuries from our best 22) 

8 minutes ago, WA Demon Boy said:

Is he what we need though? 

Wouldn't we rather see Jordon/Sparrow get more time than Dunstan. 

Yes he had a nice little patch in the middle of the year, but he's also not the best kick, work rate is average and doesn't have anything that really stands out. 

I like him as a player, just worried he will take minutes from Jordon and Sparrow who are developing extremely well. 

We need good depth over the next 2,3 and 4 years to continue to challenge. It also means Jordon and Sparrow have to keep pushing themselves to get better.

Competition for spots is what will help us win multiple flags.

I don't see it but...you have to trust the list management crew.

They've got a good record.

That's good to say, isn't it?

What? No.

Can't see the logic here at all.

I can see the appeal. JJ might be needed to cover a wing. Sparrow and Harmes did well as the 4th and 5th on ballers covering for the big 3 and a bit on the wing, they can play more midfield but then they need to be covered.

And surely we finally learn the lesson to save Viney for when it matters. Plus we likely have to do that for Petracca and Oliver if needed. Tracc should play more forward in the home and away season.

But I just don’t love the idea of bringing in a limited depth player who’s negatives - disposal and speed - really show up at times. And is that what Dustan wants at this stage of his career? Surely he wants to push his case at a club with more room for him to do so.

If we’re chasing a mature on ball depth player after losing Jones and Vanders is there no one else who has upside and versatility?

Delistings are very thin so far. Bewley as a wing. James Cousins as a mid. But young mids in the draft and state league guys are often ready to go pretty quickly. I wouldn’t want to pull the trigger on Dunstan before surveying all options. 

Edited October 4, 20213 yr by DeeSpencer

Maybe as a rookie selection?

As others have said, he's got his limitations but he certainly offers a lot of grunt and is a handy break glass in case of emergency type.

From all reports he's of really high character and has top leadership attributes. As long as he's happy to come aware that he's a depth midfielder, then we could certainly do worse.

8 minutes ago, rjay said:

I don't see it but...you have to trust the list management crew.

They've got a good record.

That's good to say, isn't it?

As good as our list management team have been there’s only 1 former rookie in the premiership 23 in Harmes and the 5 players traded in have all been for 1st or 2nd round picks. Ben Brown might’ve been the cheapest.

It’s actually been one heck of a run of first and second round picks from JT and co, but we haven’t maximised our rookies and bargain buy pick ups. 

Would like to find a couple of Marlion Pickett and Sydney Stack (the good parts) pick ups on the way through now. 

2 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

As good as our list management team have been there’s only 1 former rookie in the premiership 23 in Harmes and the 5 players traded in have all been for 1st or 2nd round picks. Ben Brown might’ve been the cheapest.

It’s actually been one heck of a run of first and second round picks from JT and co, but we haven’t maximised our rookies and bargain buy pick ups. 

Would like to find a couple of Marlion Pickett and Sydney Stack (the good parts) pick ups on the way through now. 

They've targeted players well...and not been scatter-gun like the Saints and Carlton.

I guess if they're interested (it's only rumour at this stage) in Dunstan, as I say I don't really see it but they will have good logic to back it up.

I'm happy to make our late 1st rounders, 2nd rounders winners...if we get more Fritsch, Rivers, Bowey types then the rookie picks don't really matter.

1 hour ago, Action Jackson said:

We need good depth over the next 2,3 and 4 years to continue to challenge. It also means Jordon and Sparrow have to keep pushing themselves to get better.

Competition for spots is what will help us win multiple flags.

Yes, spot on.

Nick Reivoldt or Jonathan Brown on the GF edition of OTC said players like Hunt, Jordan, Weid, Chandler, Thomo will be a massive part of us pushing for another flag in 2022. They will be hungry and determined to claim a spot in the best 22. Similar to the Tigers and Hawks over the last 10 years. 

Add a couple of young draftees to develop (perhaps Woey jnr and AMW) and maybe Luke Dunstan and suddenly there's considerable competition.

Good position to be in.

Edited October 4, 20213 yr by Stiff Arm

With Vanders delisting himself and Viney only playing 14 games I assume he is the backup?

I'm perennially unknowledgeable in the off-season staples of trade and draft (except for Oliver, who I positively demanded after viewing his TAC highlights the day before that draft 😁) but I have been as guilty as any in devouring them as  sources of salvation year after year. Now, are we suffering withdrawal symptoms or separation anxiety?😉

The coaches Yze Williams Goodwin and Richardson would not approve us chasing a player like Luke Dunstan unless the believe there is an upside also he is only 26 so he is in the MFC age demographics for a mature age player replacing Vandenberg who is 29.

Like Gunston makes no sense. Go for youth.

6 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

Like Gunston makes no sense. Go for youth.

26 is the new 35?

26 is young, would fit our list demographics perfectly.....We should get rid of Salem/Petracca/Oliver/Brayshaw, they are all approaching the dreaded 26.   May, Lever,Gawn should be delisted immediately, way too old by your reckoning :P

agree with most people, if he remains unsigned after the trade period and goes through the draft definitely invite him on board in january to take up the last spot on the list for a packet of chips contract purely for depth, can't see the suns picking him up given how full they are

Barring an injury crisis he'd have sporadic appearances but showed this year he can win the ball in the middle.  If LD is happy as a bit part player the move makes sense to me given AVB/Jones won't be here. We can still draft a young inside mid but they may not be able to make an impact straight away so think we should look at ways of bringing LD in. In conclusion; Porque no los dos/why don't we have both

 

 

 

 

Round 11....  3 votes.

Round 13.....2 votes.

Round 15.....3 votes.

Round 16.....1 vote.

Round 17.....2 votes.

We are not likely to ever be blessed again with so few injuries.   Watched most of the Saints game this year and he was great when he came into team at round 11 after banging the door down in the 2nds.  He could play a role at Melbourne in amongst a much better system/better quality of players.  A much better version of VDB/Jones and would be really pushing Sparrow/Harmes/JJ to perform.  Would be an astute pick up, who would not cost a fortune and is still improving.

It's a yes from me....We have great development coaching now, he will thrive in a much healthier environment, fits our age demographic really well.   We will no doubt be adding few younger prospects.  We are team in the window for more Premierships, he will only strengthen our list imo.

 

 

 

Interesting @NeveroddoreveN, here are the AFL Coaches Votes over the same rounds:

R11...9 Votes

R13...0 Votes

R15...10 Votes

R16...5 Votes

R17...7 Votes

Solid block of form.

Seems like throwing the baby out with the bath water from a Saints perspective. This season the dude averaged first for inside 50s, second for clearances, third for disposals, contested possessions and tackles, behind only Steele and Crouch. Odd decision.

Would Dunstable want to come to us?

Seems he wants to play.