EDFL 2021: West Coburg recruit Lynden Dunn impressing after AFL career

EDFL Division 1 outfit West Coburg gives an update on star recruit Lynden Dunn’s impact and the club’s hopes for 2021.

Lynden Dunn is set to play a big role for West Coburg this season. Picture: Michael Klein

Five key ins and one omission.

While most clubs have experienced several changes since the end of 2019 season, an air of stability surrounds West Coburg as it looks to climb the Essendon District Football League Division 1 ladder.

The Burgers were relegated from Premier Division in 2018 and finished sixth with an 8-8 record in the second tier two years ago.

But they have secured the services of former Collingwood and Melbourne player Lynden Dunn as a playing assistant coach, while ex-Saint Daniel Archer has returned.

Daniel Archer during his days at Pascoe Vale. Picture: Aaron Cook

2014 premiership player Tom Drake and Daniel Johncock are also back at the club, while Luke Baniowski is another important inclusion.

Tom Baravi is the only notable out, giving West Coburg plenty of reason for optimism.

“We think we have a better squad than we did for 2019,” Burgers president David Gloury said.

“We think we’re in pretty good shape, but what that means in comparison to everyone else, we’re going to have to wait a few weeks to see how it all plays out.

“Is it good enough, who knows? Ask me in 18 weeks’ time.

“But we’re happy with our list and we’re excited with some of our young kids coming through.”

Gloury said Dunn, who signed on for two seasons after 198 AFL games over 16 years, had made an immediate impact.

Dunn is close friends with West Coburg coach and four-time Strathmore premiership player Dale May.

He has taken the field in scratch matches against Strathmore and Glenroy and will feature against Eltham this weekend.

“We’ve been very, very pleased with Lynden, not only on field, but off field,” Gloury said.

“He’s been a fantastic influence on the group.

“Any player that comes out of the AFL system, their level of fitness is predominantly higher than most in suburban football.

“Lynden conscientious around his fitness, so he’s done all the sessions. The only ones he missed were when he had a week off when his wife had their second child.

“He’s been terrific on the track.”

The Burgers will boast a formidable forward line in 2021, with Dunn and Archer to join Liam Bowkett, who bagged 43 goals in 2019 and was named at centre half-forward in the Team of the Year.

“He (Bowkett) is more than handy, so it gives Dale and us a lot of options with our team selection,” Gloury said.

West Coburg is also bullish about its young talent, with Harry Weaver, Patty McCallum, Ibrahim Taha and Emilio Rinaudo among those pushing for senior selection.

Gloury said the club had a “good blend of experience and youth”.

He expects Division 1 to be a “red-hot competition” with several clubs recruiting strongly, while 2019 Riddell District league premier Rupertswood will line up in the second tier.

The Burgers will face Tullamarine in Round 1 on April 10.