From the very beginning of the 2021 season, Luke Dunstan's back was against the wall. On the outer from week one after only the one game in 2020, Dunstan was forced to dominate in the reserves to earn his way back into the starting 22.
Dunstan only managed the one game through the first 10 rounds of the 2021 season, with the Saints adamant that Dunstan would spend the remainder of his contract year in the reserves. According to Saints champion Nick Dal Santo, the Saints โto put it bluntly didnโt want him to playโ at AFL level.
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Clearly a pill the midfielder wasn't ready to swallow, Dunstan banged down the selection door, taking advantage of the mounting injury list and the Saints' disappointing start to the season.
Averaging 37 disposals and two goals a game over a four-game stretch for Sandringham, Dunstan earned his way back into the side to be a shining light for the Saints in what was a difficult season.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Solidifying his spot in the side in the Saints' Round 12 upset win over the reigning premiers in Richmond with 32 disposals (17 contested) and a goal, Dunstan worked his magic and looked to have done enough to earn another contract at the Saints.
Despite performing on a week-to-week basis however, the Saints dropped the contested bull for their final round match against the Dockers in Launceston, all but underlying what looked to be the inevitable outcome.
Despite ranking in the top 30 in the competition for contested possessions per game, the club last Wednesday confirmed all speculation with the decision to not offer Dunstan with another contract past 2021. The 26-year-old is now without a home for 2022.
With this in mind, we've listed FIVE potential landing spots the gun onballer could find himself in 2022.
3. Collingwood Magpies
By all reports out of the Holden Centre, the Pies are far from past the salary issues that saw them have one of the more spectacular trade periods of recent memory.
With the likelihood of another senior leader of the club forced out due to the tight salary squeeze, the Pies will be open to looking for bargain bin buys.
The equation is relatively simple at the Pies. Anyone they attract needs to come for significantly less money than they are potentially worth. So far, Luke Dunstan is the player that fits that bill.
With a lengthy rebuild inevitable at the Pies, Collingwood can still do with a player that can lead the next wave of talent whilst career still being in the frame to reap the rewards down the track.
Luke Dunstan is only 26 years of age and can still have a long future in the league given the opportunity, and he is exactly the type of player that Collingwood need to lead the next wave.
In 2021, the Magpies ranked 16th in the competition for contested possessions. Struggling to get their hands on the football at the source is a problem requiring rectification, with the acquisition of Dunstan (29th in contested possession per game in 2021) an ideal start to solving the issue.
