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FIVE potential landing spots for Taylin Duman

With plenty left to offer, the delisted Dockers defender should have plenty of suitors.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Taylin Duman's delisting from Fremantle was a product of the club's impressive depth in key-defenders, with fellow tall backman Tobe Watson also not offered a new deal for next season.

Three off-season wrist surgeries certainly didn't help Duman's case for the 2021 season, facing an uphill battle to cement his place early in Justin Longmuir's side.

Added to the setbacks is the battle Duman has faced in fighting for a spot alongside the likes of Luke Ryan, Alex Pearce, Griffin Logue, Hayden Young and Brennan Cox in Longmuir's defence.

29 appearances in his two years prior to this season, Duman was a staple for the Dockers, offering plenty of attack from the backline.

SEE ALSO: Five landing spots for Daniel Talia

Now, come the conclusion of their 2021 campaign, Duman's services will need to be utilised elsewhere for the 23-year-old to continue his AFL career.

With this in mind, we've named five potential landing spots for the delisted Dockers defender.

Western Bulldogs

The Dogs have continued to cry out for further strength and development to their tall defensive crop, with 2021 placing further headaches for coach Luke Beveridge.

In the absence of Alex Keath, the Bulldogs looked undermanned and at risk when placed on the back foot against rival key forwards.

An experiment with Josh Schache could be their answer, but the Whitten Oval club are still tipped to use this off-season to boost their defence.

BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 3: Josh Schache of the Bulldogs celebrates his first goal with the Bulldogs during the AFL 2018 JLT Community Series match between the Western Bulldogs and the Hawthorn Hawks at Mars Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Duman would frame as a cheap and viable option for the Bulldogs, who would slot in as a formidable partner to Keath as an intercepting defender.

With plenty of football left in his career, Duman could find a place in the Dogs' bright future for the long-haul.

Essendon

Like the Bulldogs, the Bombers look destined to hunt key defenders this exchange period.

Jayden Laverde has enjoyed a breakout campaign in his move to defence, while Jordan Ridley, James Stewart and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher currently sharing the workload in Tullamarine's defensive unit.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 11: Jordan Ridley of the Bombers kicks during the round 6 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Metricon Stadium on July 11, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

With questions over veteran Michael Hurley's health and future, the Bombers could look to Duman as a quick option to find some list equilibrium should they lose their tough backman.

Young and full of potential, Duman would fit the Bombers' mould as they look to continue their push back into premiership contention.

Gold Coast

A key area of weakness for the Suns is in their key position pecking order, with their tall talent quickly dropping off after their first or second strings.

Down back, Sam Collins is able to orchestrate, however has found a lack of support at times throughout his short career on the Gold Coast.

While the likes of Charlie Ballard and Wil Powell will continue to offer balance down back for the years to come, it could be Collins' former teammate in Duman that further aids the Suns' much-needed rise.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 26: Taylin Duman looks to pass the ball during a Fremantle Dockers AFL training session at Victor George Kailis Oval on November 26, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Like Duman, Collins was cut from the Dockers, with many believing his place in the AFL would not be over despite the setback.

Sure enough, Collins joined the Suns after a season in the VFL, and has since gone on to win the club's best and fairest.

Could the Suns see something similar in Duman as they did with Collins? Time will tell.

Collingwood

The Magpies are in the midst of a rebuild and don't look to have the financial capabilities to add high quality talent to their young list.

At this stage of their bid to return to the top, Collingwood will be looking to stock up on draft selections and add youth to their list the cheapest way possible.

Should they gauge their sights towards Duman, the Magpies would be able to add an experienced defender with plenty left to offer at a cheap price, a bargain you could say.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Oscar McDonald of the Demons and Jordan Roughead of the Magpies compete for the ball during the 2019 AFL round 21 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 10, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

With Jordan Roughead in the twilight of his career and veterans Levi Greenwood and Chris Mayne already hanging up the boots, opportunities in the Magpies defence have opened up.

North Melbourne

While the Kangaroos reportedly have plenty of cash to splash this off-season, there's no reason why the shinboners shouldn't be looking to add bargain buys where possible.

Able to play deep in defence or further up the ground and on the wing, the 23-year-old would be a nice flexible option for the rebuilding Roos.

Already growing a strong defensive unit with the likes of Ben McKay, Aidan Corr and Aidan Bonar, there are sure to be voids by the time the Kangaroos need to be back in finals contention.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 08: Ben McKay of the Kangaroos runs with the ball during the round eight AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Collingwood Magpies at Marvel Stadium on May 08, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Veteran duo Robbie Tarrant and Josh Walker are unlikely to be playing when North Melbourne return to a premiership push, warranting some recruitment to their key backman stocks.

Duman can slot into an assisting role to McKay and co. in the air, while also offering his services as a rebounding defender in turning defence into attack.

Published by
Mitch Keating