Local footy: Lynden Dunn signs with EDFL club West Coburg for 2021
The ex-AFL player with 198 games to his name has found a local footy home after signing on as a playing assistant coach for two seasons.
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West Coburg is poised to roll out a lethal triple threat in the attacking half next season after former AFL player Lynden Dunn put pen to paper with the Essendon District Football League Division 1 club.
Dunn retired from the elite level last month after 198 games and 99 goals for Collingwood and Melbourne over a 16-year career.
The 33-year-old has signed on as a playing assistant coach for the next two seasons in a massive boost to the Burgers’ hopes of returning to Premier Division.
Dunn is set to fill a role in the forward line alongside fellow ex-AFL player Daniel Archer and Liam Bowkett, who booted 43 goals from 16 games in 2019 to earn selection at centre half-forward in the Team of the Year.
Dunn also has a close friendship with West Coburg coach and four-time Strathmore premiership player Dale May, helping seal one of the recruiting coups of the off-season.
He was officially unveiled to his new teammates on Sunday.
“It is exciting both on and off field. We couldn’t be happier,” club president David Gloury said.
“We knew this was always a distinct possibility. Lynden’s very close friends with Dale and they’ve known each other since the Calder Cannon days and have been best mates ever since.
“We’ve spoken to Lynden in the last 12 months, knowing his AFL career was coming to a close and he always indicated he was very keen to come across and play with Dale, even though Dale mightn’t play.
“I think Lynden’s more likely to find himself pretty close to goal.
“He’s still incredibly fit, a terrific mark and very, very good kick.
“I just think because we’ll play a number of games at Shore Reserve next year because of the work that’s being done at (Coburg) City Oval, to have someone like Lynden sitting in at full-forward makes for a really potent forward line.”
Gloury said Dunn was a presence at the Burgers last year “and really enjoyed the environment”.
The star signing is also keen to work with their junior players and sponsors.
“He loves his footy, grew up in the area, so he’s got a good feel for it,” Gloury said.
“He is really excited about going back to play local footy.”
West Coburg finished sixth on the Division 1 ladder with an 8-8 record in May’s first campaign at the helm after a four-year stint in Premier Division.
Dunn’s arrival is set to put the Burgers in premiership contention when the 2021 season kicks off, with pacesetter East Keilor, Tullamarine, Airport West and Westmeadows also building strong lists.
“His focus is to help us win a premiership, and he wants to be a part of it,” Gloury said.
“Lynden doesn’t guarantee us a premiership, but he will certainly make a significant contribution to our fortunes in 2021.”
West Coburg bolstered its senior squad before the pandemic forced 2020 to be scrapped.
Archer, Daniel Johncock and 2014 premiership player Tom Drake returned, while Luke Baniowski arrived from Strathmore.
“We were optimistic about season 2020 (given) we brought in four boys who have all played Premier Division,” Gloury said.
“We were very happy with what we recruited. We’ve also got a couple of very, very good young boys who have come through our under-18s who we think will play a lot of senior football next year.
“We think we’re in good shape.”
Gloury said the playing list had remained intact despite cuts to the salary cap.
“We’ve had a number of them indicate they will play for nothing because they just want to get out and play and they enjoy the environment,” he said.
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