Neitz, Robertson, Miller: it's a pretty handy attack. And if emerging forward Lynden Dunn has his way, he will add another dimension to Melbourne's forward structure in 2007.

Still only 19 and now in his third AFL-listed season, Dunn impressed in his debut senior season last year, playing 11 matches.This season he is aiming to become a permanent member of the 22. He is fully aware he needs to make the most of his opportunities over the pre-season if he wants to line-up in the season opener on March 30.

"Obviously I need to keep playing well in these next three games to give myself the best chance of playing against St Kilda on Friday night in Round 1. I've got to keep getting a kick because I'm not good enough to be rested yet," Dunn told melbournefc.com.au.

"I've just got to keep pulling my weight and showing my worth."

Dunn said a conversation with coach Neale Daniher at the end of last season helped point him in the right direction for the upcoming year.

"I had a chat to Neale before the pre-season and he told me where I'm at and what I need to do. Brad Miller is our number one centre half-forward and Neale just wants me to find my place in the team, whether it's centre half-forward or full-forward or coming off the bench," Dunn said.

"I've just got to be adaptable and play where I can to help the team.

"I think my speed has increased over the pre-season and I'm jumping a lot better than I ever have before. I don't mind playing that role where I crumb around Neita, Millsy and Robbo,” he said.

"I'd like to think my ground balls aren't too bad and my sense around the pack isn't too bad for a bigger bloke, so I've just got to fit in where I can."

Dunn said learning first hand about how to play up forward from Neitz and Robertson was invaluable for his development.

"I'm just trying to be a sponge and absorb everything from those players, because I know they won't be around forever. I won't be around forever either, so if I want to hang around I've got to learn off them, because they're the best in the business at it," Dunn said.

At 192cm and hovering around 90kg, Dunn said he had actually trimmed down in recent weeks, adding that bulk was not a priority at this stage of his career.

"There's no point me putting on weight at the moment because I just carry it around in my skinfolds. It's not really muscle and it doesn't help me with my strength, so I thought I'd lose a couple of kilos," Dunn said.

And his eagerness to be a part of the action in 2007 was reflected when he spoke of the club's goal.

"We're hoping to go forward this year and make the top four or top two and play some finals. Playing last year helped me with my confidence for this year, now that I know I can play at that level," Dunn said.

"I'm just looking forward to getting into games and pulling on the red and blue more consistently."