Melbourne’s “out of the blue” interest in St Kilda discard Luke Dunstan came after the midfielder’s agent believed there was no way the Demons were an option.
Gold Coast or Essendon loomed as Dunstan’s likeliest destination until Melbourne list boss Tim Lamb swooped in and blew the competition away with an ultra-professional pitch lasting about 90 minutes.
The 27-year-old former Saint spoke with Bombers list boss Adrian Dodoro and Suns coach Stuart Dew, but the Demons left a lasting impression.
Premiership coach Simon Goodwin, Lamb, assistant coach Adem Yze and general manager of AFL football performance Alan Richardson were all on the phone for the Dunstan presentation.
Richardson coached Dunstan from 2014-19 at St Kilda.
Christian Petracca xjmtzyweven sent a text message to his and Dunstan’s agent, Connors Sports’ Robbie D’Orazio, asking if he was Melbourne-bound after 116 games for the Saints.
Stan’s new documentary, , released on March 10, takes viewers behind the scenes of last year’s AFL trade period, including the Dunstan negotiations.
It includes Dunstan’s stunned reaction to the Demons making him a two-year offer, via D’Orazio, who originally thought the premiers were too flush with inside midfielders.
But the retirements of on-ballers Nathan Jones and Aaron vandenBerg, as well as Melbourne’s charmed injury run in 2021, left Lamb and co. on the hunt for another ready-made option.
“(Out of) their midfield, Clayton Oliver played every game, Petracca played every game, (Jack) Viney played every game – or missed a couple mid-year – but they’re smart enough to know they got lucky with injuries,” D’Orazio said.
“Luke Dunstan can definitely help them next year if one of those big guns goes down and they need an inside mid who’s going to win the ball at the contest.”
The process went into overdrive once D’Orazio acknowledged the Demons’ “serious” approach, with the three potential suitors all contacted again.
Essendon effectively pulled out of the race at that point, while Melbourne’s incentive-based offer and successful environment trumped Gold Coast.
D’Orazio also praised the Demons for their professionalism in their audacious bid for then-wantaway Docker Adam Cerra in another tick for the way the once-embattled club has resurrected its fortunes.
Melbourne has become a destination club in recent years, trading for All-Australians Jake Lever, Steven May and Michael Hibberd as well as stars Ben Brown and Ed Langdon.
Dunstan’s passage to the Demons was sealed with a firm handshake from Goodwin, who was thrilled when the midfielder, who polled 11 Brownlow Medal votes in 12 games, said joining the red and blue was a “no-brainer”.
“We’re incredibly impressed with how you played and we think you have some strengths that add to our group, including your stoppage-contest work (being) elite – and we will focus on that,” Goodwin said.
“We want that to really thrive in our environment and we see enormous growth in you.
“We’d love you to be part of it. We think you improve us and we think you’re going to get a great opportunity to play in a successful team.”
