Ian Dunstan

Recruited from Fish Creek in South Gippsland, Ian Dunstan overcame an inconsistent start to his VFL career to become a shining light for Footscray during a particularly bleak era for the club. The son of former Collingwood player Maurie Dunstan, he evolved into a tall, high-possession ruck-rover capable of drifting forward to hit the scoreboard. His peak between 1979 and 1982 was outstanding, yielding three Charles Sutton Medals and state selection for Victoria. He is perhaps best remembered for playing the perfect foil to Kelvin Templeton during the full-forward's record-breaking 15-goal haul against St Kilda in 1978; Dunstan booted seven goals of his own that day, with the pair combining for a league-record score by two players in a single match.

Despite his individual dominance, Footscray’s financial instability and a shift toward a youth policy saw Dunstan cleared to North Melbourne ahead of the 1983 season. However, his stint at Arden Street was derailed almost immediately, with a broken arm forcing him to miss the entire 1983 campaign. He eventually made his debut for the Kangaroos in 1984 but struggled to recapture his best form, managing just six senior appearances before retiring. He left the game as a highly respected figure at the Western Oval, having carried the Bulldogs' midfield workload through the difficult turn of the decade.