EFNL 2023: Former AFL Saint, Demon Luke Dunstan links with South Belgrave

A recently-retired AFL midfielder has found a new home at an Eastern league club for 2024. Latest here.

RECENTLY retired AFL midfielder Luke Dunstan has landed at South Belgrave.

The 28-year-old joins the Eastern league Division 1 club straight out of the AFL system, where he played 121 matches across St Kilda from 2014-2021 and Melbourne in the past two seasons.

Selected by the Saints with pick 18 in the 2013 national draft, Dunstan played most of his footy in the VFL across 2022 and ’23 with Melbourne VFL affiliate Casey, before a knee injury late this season forced his retirement.

South Belgrave senior coach Heath Black said he was “rapt” to secure the 2022 VFL premiership player, who’ll oversee the midfield as an assistant coach.

Luke Dunstan in action for St Kilda. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“I’m really rapt and still in a bit of shock that we’ve landed someone of his ilk,” Black said.

“To get someone straight out of the system in such a short period of time, historically doesn’t really happen like the way it has.

“It’s huge for not only our club, but the comp … it’s a great coup for everyone involved.

“Respecting his recent injury, I just wanted to really tap into his coaching and he’s interested in that, so we struck a rapport when we met.

“It’s a credit to last year’s coach (Luke Galliott), he predominantly led the charge.

“He’ll (Dunstan) also help me oversee our junior program.”

Black declared Dunstan wouldn’t be rushed into playing after suffering an ACL injury in a VFL match against North Melbourne in August, with any on-field role to be a discussion for “months and months down the track”.

Dunstan announced his retirement from the AFL last month.

“We’ve stayed away from the discussion around what footy looks like for him, from a playing standpoint,” Black said.

“I think he’s only eight weeks post-op, so we’ve got to be really respectful of where he’s at.”

But Black admitted the recently-retired Demon could be an ace-card for South Belgrave if he returns to action next season.

The club finished this year’s home-and-away campaign undefeated and on top of the ladder before a shock grand final loss to Mitcham.

“Statistically, if you want to have a look at his VFL stats over the last couple of seasons, you could argue that he was the premier midfielder in the VFL – that’s how significant the signing is,” Black said.

The Saints have also signed midfielder/forward Blake Simondson from Outer East club Berwick Springs, with the 19-year-old also listed with North Melbourne’s VFL outfit.

He made the Outer East league Division 1 Team of the Year in 2022.

Meanwhile, Tyreece Leiu has committed to the club after stepping away from VFL level. He split his time between the Eastern league and Carlton’s VFL arm this year.

The versatile 194cm talent was overlooked at the 2021 draft, but later won an opportunity with the Blues, playing 12 matches in his state league debut season last year.