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.
4. Fremantle Dockers
After the announcement that young gun Adam Cerra is certain to be playing elsewhere in 2022, the Dockers have a hole to fill in their young midfield group of the future.
Despite still having the likes of David Mundy and Nat Fyfe, the development of the next wave of young midfielders has been the major priority for Justin Longmuir since arriving at the club. The trio of Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong andย Cerra have been the core of Fremantle's midfield throughout the season. But have now all but lost a member.
Luke Dunstan could be a low-risk option for the Dockers to experiment in filling the Cerra void. At 26 years old, Luke Dunstan's best football is still ahead of him. He can be the leader of a young Fremantle midfield once the agelessย Mundy calls it time andย Fyfe continues to make the transition up forward.
A friendly face will also help Dunstan fit in with the group out west who have former Saint Blake Acres applying his craft at Fremantle after the Brad Hill trade.
It is also an easy sell for someone like Dunstan, who will welcome the warm weather and restriction-less life that WA have successfully achieved in the COVID-era.
