Melbourne’s interest in Luke Dunstan has been lauded by Kane Cornes.
Reports surfaced on Tuesday afternoon that the Demons are showing interest in the midfielder who has not been offered a new contract by St Kilda.
The management of the 26-year-old has reportedly spoken to the reigning premiers who had also been linked with Fremantle’s Adam Cerra before he opted for Carlton.
Cornes likes the mindset of the Dees to continue looking to bolster and improve even after taking all before them in season 2021.
He feels that Simon Goodwin’s club is already working harder than others in a bid to make their list stronger despite winning the flag.
“This is the thing with Melbourne, they’re in the window and I keep hearing they’re up to things,” he said on AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade.
“They were having a discussion with Cerra and exploring how they can get him in, now they’re looking at Dunstan.
“Melbourne are looking to make themselves better and are not sitting back even after winning the premiership. They’re going, ‘Let’s make the most of our time in this window’.
“Where is everyone else doing the same?
“I see Hawthorn doing some things and making some moves behind the scenes, but what are Freo doing, what are Port Adelaide doing, what are Brisbane doing, what are the Cats up to apart from Jordan Clark?
“These are the teams that I think it’s most important that they’re making these moves throughout this time.
“I was interested to read that about Dunstan to Melbourne. I just love it from Melbourne because they’re all out trying to improve themselves.”
Matthew Lloyd suggests the key link between Dunstan and the Demons is former Saints coach Alan Richardson who serves as the GM of Football Performance at Melbourne.
But he has issued a warning to the midfielder who may find it difficult to gain regular senior game time alongside the likes of Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney and co.
“Alan Richardson is a big fan of him so I think that’s where the Melbourne link comes for Luke Dunstan,” he said.
“I haven’t heard of any other clubs, so I’m not sure what options he’ll have.
“He’s frustrated playing VFL football. He wants to play AFL football. I’d be nervous if I was him going to Melbourne. That’s why I worry for Luke Dunstan because he might get two or three years, but you’re playing VFL football.
“For Luke, I’d be going to a team where I feel like I’m more of a chance at getting a game because it’s going to be a pretty tough side to break into.”
Aside from the Dees, Dunstan has also attracted some sort of interested from both Gold Coast and Essendon.