Welcome to Demonland: Luke Dunstan

[DeeSpencer 23,058]

5 minutes ago, BDA said:

Does anyone know the real reason why he was delisted by St Kilda? injury, work rate, attitude??

Clearly he didn’t get on with the coach. But they have Steele, Crouch and Jones ahead of him as primary mids, then Bytel who they like, plus a fleet of options like Gresham, Byrnes, Higgins, Clark, Sinclair. And are committed to Ross (free agent but never leaving) and Hannebery, both who offer more on the outside. 

[Dwight Schrute 16,722]

6 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Clearly he didn’t get on with the coach. But they have Steele, Crouch and Jones ahead of him as primary mids, then Bytel who they like, plus a fleet of options like Gresham, Byrnes, Higgins, Clark, Sinclair. And are committed to Ross (free agent but never leaving) and Hannebery, both who offer more on the outside. 

100% personality clash with Ratten. i reckon it's a bit like Jarryd Lyons at the Suns, he's got the potential to be a really good player at a team that values him.

[DeeSpencer 23,058]

11 minutes ago, Dwight Schrute said:

100% personality clash with Ratten. i reckon it's a bit like Jarryd Lyons at the Suns, he's got the potential to be a really good player at a team that values him.

I can see the similarities but similar to Lyons you have to go all in with him in the midfield and as a ball winner to get the value. I’m not sure Dunstan will like Goody any more than he did Ratten if he’s back in the VFL 

[Skuit 9,109]

All this tedious think-bucketing. We have a couple of NGA/Father-son prospects and very few draft cookies (just three in the mid-30s to 50s), with little apparent prospect of trading up - while having to fill at least seven list spots and counting, including those vacated by hardened midfield bodies in Nat Jones and AVB. 

Dunstan as a delisted free agent seems a no-brainer - let him worry about breaking into the team, and who cares about whether he supposedly 'stalls' the development of Jordon and co. We are smack-bang in the opening phase of a premiership window. We might add a couple rookies, but the delisted F/A list isn't going to get any better.  

[spirit of norm smith 12,839]

Agreed. Clearly once you have a falling out with the coach, his future was elsewhere.  As I posted earlier, he was behind Steele, Crouch and Ross for inside mid roles. He also would have to compete in 2022 with Hannebery, and youngster Bytel. Dunstan can play. That’s not in doubt. Not sure though that the Dees are his best destination given we are covered already in inside mids.  

[whatwhat say what 18,790]

i'd rather invest inside mid rotation time into sparrow and jordon, and possibly woewodin or moniz-wakefield or who knows who else

if he wants to play first or potentially second midfield rotation then i don't think he'd be wanting to come to us

i don't particularly rate; i don't particularly hate him

[Skuit 9,109]

Also, for those who haven't opened the recent interview-article on SEN and sitting here pondering Dunstan's motivations as to senior playing minutes vs success etc, this is what he personally had to say (after noting that he would be reasonably content to walk away from the game rather than continue at the Saints);

“For me it’s just about being in a happy environment where you feel valued as a player and as a person, and just feel a part of something would be the biggest thing . . . I wouldn’t put any limitations on it, I’d be happy to go anywhere. I’m really keen to try and go somewhere else and get a bit of a new lease on life.”

A caveat: he did also agree that Essendon could be a potentially suitable destination, so some psych testing wouldn't be out of order. Otherwise, if we do want him for cheap, I think we will get it over the line. On the surface at least, the MFC is definitely a happy environment at present, with all our players made to feel valuable and a "part of something". 

[Skuit 9,109]

11 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

i'd rather invest inside mid rotation time into sparrow and jordon, and possibly woewodin or moniz-wakefield or who knows who else

if he wants to play first or potentially second midfield rotation then i don't think he'd be wanting to come to us

i don't particularly rate; i don't particularly hate him

So who else should we add to our list? A pick 35, and maybe 45 and 55, and then possibly a couple of rookies (could be either of our NGA/Father-son prospects in either intake, or not at all). Then comes the supplemental period, waiting for someone better than Dunstan to get cut post-drafts? You can still invest mid-rotation time into Sparrow and Jordon, or make them fight for senior spots while we try to snag another flag with more mature players. Those kids will earn a gig in the team on merit, compelled to get better. We're not in a youth development 'get-games-into-them' phase anymore, and the talent pipeline looks pretty good for a recent premiership team. We have seven spots to fill: take the best of the delisted free agents now, while they are still available. 

[dazzledavey36 48,643]

Luke Dunstan has the same management company as Christian Petracca @goodwindees? Robbie D'Orazio'?

[Binmans PA 25,894]

I feel like we've been here before.

Melbourne list management team identify a  handy acquisition and some Demonlanders [censored] the bed.

We have a list management appreciation thread FFS. At what point do people trust the club?

This is a smart piece of list management. If it doesn't eventuate then we look for other ways to add depth. If it does, we've got a hardened back up who can win the footy and keep competition for places strong.

[dazzledavey36 48,643]

4 minutes ago, A F said:

I feel like we've been here before.

Melbourne list management team identify a  handy acquisition and some Demonlanders [censored] the bed.

We have a list management appreciation thread FFS. At what point do people trust the club?

This is a smart piece of list management. If it doesn't eventuate then we look for other ways to add depth. If it does, we've got a hardened back up who can win the footy and keep competition for places strong.

This 100%

[Turner 1,482]

 

34 minutes ago, Skuit said:

So who else should we add to our list? A pick 35, and maybe 45 and 55, and then possibly a couple of rookies (could be either of our NGA/Father-son prospects in either intake, or not at all). Then comes the supplemental period, waiting for someone better than Dunstan to get cut post-drafts? You can still invest mid-rotation time into Sparrow and Jordon, or make them fight for senior spots while we try to snag another flag with more mature players. Those kids will earn a gig in the team on merit, compelled to get better. We're not in a youth development 'get-games-into-them' phase anymore, and the talent pipeline looks pretty good for a recent premiership team. We have seven spots to fill: take the best of the delisted free agents now, while they are still available. 

absolutely spot on here, for so many years (about 12 really) this club has been about building, youth, development yada yada and finally we have a solid 22 who are all going to play together for the next 3-4 years at least with no glaring issues, we don't gift games anymore, if a draftee is good enough they'll be given a chance and they would have earned it, but as jimmy jordon and in a sense fritsch have proven there is nothing wrong with a player playing 3yrs of consistent vfl footy and familiarising themselves with mens footy and the dees game style to give themselves the best chance of succeeding when they do step up, similarly to signing majak and mbrown they're an insurance policy and they're hardened bodies to keep the pressure on at training and provide the senior 22 with healthy competition so they don't get complacent. Dunstan is that too and if he proves his worth in the 2s then i have no issue with him displacing sparrow, jj, harmes brayshaw whoever because he would've earned it and then its up to them to earn it back and not get complacent with a spot in the side

[Jaded No More 57,656]

My Essendon friend (yes I know, who befriends an Essendon supporter, but we’ve been friends since high school) reckons they’re right into him. 
I suggest if he wants game time he goes to Essendon. They aren’t far off in terms of consistently playing finals. 

[Mach5 4,482]

Dunstan would have a strong connection with ANB from their SA days.

I think he could be a handy addition, just would find it hard to break into the 22.

If he wants to play consistently, he goes elsewhere. If he wants to feel like he belongs and is a valued member of something bigger, he comes to us.

[Constant Mongrel 571]

15 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

My Essendon friend (yes I know, who befriends an Essendon supporter, but we’ve been friends since high school) reckons they’re right into him. 
I suggest if he wants game time he goes to Essendon. They aren’t far off in terms of consistently playing finals. 

I've got one of those too.. He's a real [censored]! Lol.

 

Yep, he can probably get a regular game at Essendon, Carlton, Collingwood, North, Geelong - any of the other shamozzle of Victorian clubs :-P

 

Edited October 4, 2021 by Rocky

[Pennant St Dee 11,244]

1 hour ago, A F said:

I feel like we've been here before.

Melbourne list management team identify a  handy acquisition and some Demonlanders [censored] the bed.

We have a list management appreciation thread FFS. At what point do people trust the club?

This is a smart piece of list management. If it doesn't eventuate then we look for other ways to add depth. If it does, we've got a hardened back up who can win the footy and keep competition for places strong.

Short memories and many usual suspects 

[Chelly 738]

Not sure where the story comes from but how do we know that Melbourne is interested. Is there any source linking him to the club or is it just scuttlebutt?

[Skuit 9,109]

Anyways, time for me to bow out. The approaching 5,000 posts seems like a reasonable effort over the journey. I know I kicked up a big stink late last year and stormed out of the forums due to a plethora of negative [censored]-stirring posters, only to be dragged back into the fold - but I'm glad that it happened and I got to experience a flag with you all, with a special shout-out to some of my favourite members who have held their nerve over the past four years, as well as those who I have been lucky enough to meet in person, thanks to Demonland (so much appreciation), and those who have reached out online for various reasons over the course (and of course you all know who you are). I will probably stalk a bit until I can fully break the D-land habit. But best of luck to everyone though - please be nice to each other and you're welcome contact me at [email protected] for any reason. And long live the Dees! 

[Wilson7 2,474]

6 minutes ago, Skuit said:

Anyways, time for me to bow out. The approaching 5,000 posts seems like a reasonable effort over the journey. I know I kicked up a big stink late last year and stormed out of the forums due to a plethora of negative [censored]-stirring posters, only to be dragged back into the fold - but I'm glad that it happened and I got to experience a flag with you all, with a special shout-out to some of my favourite members who have held their nerve over the past four years, as well as those who I have been lucky enough to meet in person, thanks to Demonland (so much appreciation), and those who have reached out online for various reasons over the course (and of course you all know who you are). I will probably stalk a bit until I can fully break the D-land habit. But best of luck to everyone though - please be nice to each other and you're welcome contact me at [email protected] for any reason. And long live the Dees! 

Best of luck Skuit, take care mate

[Left Foot Snap 1,822]

26 minutes ago, Skuit said:

Anyways, time for me to bow out. The approaching 5,000 posts seems like a reasonable effort over the journey. I know I kicked up a big stink late last year and stormed out of the forums due to a plethora of negative [censored]-stirring posters, only to be dragged back into the fold - but I'm glad that it happened and I got to experience a flag with you all, with a special shout-out to some of my favourite members who have held their nerve over the past four years, as well as those who I have been lucky enough to meet in person, thanks to Demonland (so much appreciation), and those who have reached out online for various reasons over the course (and of course you all know who you are). I will probably stalk a bit until I can fully break the D-land habit. But best of luck to everyone though - please be nice to each other and you're welcome contact me at [email protected] for any reason. And long live the Dees! 

Hope you are alright,  seems an odd time to leave but wish you all the best. Enjoyed your contributions.

[JTR 2,627]

Interesting comments on him from St Kilda people at BF (which I read earlier today and now can't find comments/thread to link):

- has the desire/mindset to be a two way player, but has never had the tank and can't sustain it

- atrocious disposal, handballing in particular 

- ratten doesn't rate him, and he knows it. He wont entertain any contract offers should they backflip and put one in front of him. Wants out

[Tom Dyson 1,492]

Asked if he’d like to play for Essendon specifically, Dunstan said: “I’d love to go there. My good friend Nick Hind went there last year during the trade period and we all saw what he did this year, so that’d be nice.

“I’ll let my manager Robbie D’Orazio have a word to him (Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro) and hopefully we can make it happen.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/department-of-trade/afl-trade-news-rumours-whispers-2021-luke-dunstan-essendon-radio-interview-would-have-rejected-st-kilda-contract/news-story/7f793c329a0d33a890950e524ddcb869

 

The above is a fox sport article based off a radio interview Dunstan did with 3aw. Seems odd for a player to make a public admission unless it was a certainty, going to essendon a done deal maybe? 

[rumpole 480]

8 hours ago, Chelly said:

Not sure where the story comes from but how do we know that Melbourne is interested. Is there any source linking him to the club or is it just scuttlebutt?

It’s trade week. You never let sauces get in the way of a good story.

[Elwood 3184 1,263]

All but gone to the Bombers according to the little paper.

[BW511 2,236]

10 hours ago, Skuit said:

“For me it’s just about being in a happy environment where you feel valued as a player and as a person, and just feel a part of something would be the biggest thing . . . I wouldn’t put any limitations on it, I’d be happy to go anywhere. I’m really keen to try and go somewhere else and get a bit of a new lease on life.”

This is the key, he might just want a change of environment.

If he can go and get paid to keep playing AFL footy, even sparingly, he is likely better off than he would be in the real world.

Personality clashes do exist, even with good/decent players and coaches