The Collingwood defender watched from the sidelines as his teammates played some of their best footy in years to advance to the grand final on Friday night. 

There were mixed feelings, but an escape to Norm Minns Oval for the Ovens and Murray grand final seemed to be just what the doctor ordered.

Dunn said there were few places that were better for a big game than Wangaratta.

“Look at the weather – it’s come up a treat, a big rematch of last year, it’s great,” he said.

“It’s good to see so many players who have been in the AFL system come back to local footy and country footy and continue their careers elsewhere.

“It’s great for the fans, great for footy clubs, and it’ll be a great spectacle.

“I’ve played with Daniel Cross and Michael Newton, and played against a few of the others out there as well, it’ll be good.” 

Though he was quick to downplay his own status as an AFL player, Dunn said it was nice to get out and enjoys some grassroots footy.

“I wouldn’t say I’m too high profile,” he laughed.

“But it’s certainly nice to come down and just act normal I suppose.

“Hopefully one day I’ll be playing local footy somewhere, I’ve got a great passion for it.

“Footy clubs are great places to be around, and to be honest I play at the biggest club in the land and we feel like a big country footy club at Collingwood.

“Seeing all the black and white stripes here today, it feels very familiar.” 

Wangaratta mayor Ken Clarke said the grand final, the first hosted in the city for 24 years, had been a success.

“It was excellent, I had nothing but praise for the netball facility from the Ovens and Murray board and the coaches afterwards, as well as the umpires,” he said.

“The oval was excellent as well, I thought everything went according to plan.

“The parking was good, I know it took a bit of time to get out at the end of the day, but overall I think it went well – the crowd were also well behaved.” 

An official crowd figure of 7146 piled into Norm Minns Oval.

Though his Magpies weren’t able to get up in the senior grand final, Cr Clarke was thrilled with the result in the A-Grade netball, where they took home their first ever premiership.

He also had to be a “two-eyed” supported by his own admission  – his grandson Tom played in the thirds grand final for the Wangaratta Rovers.

It was a winning morning for them, claiming a nine-point win.

Yarrawonga claimed the reserves premiership, while the Magpies were able to salute in a thrilling B-Grade netball decider that came down to the wire.