VICE-captain Lynden Dunn has praised several of his backline teammates for their efforts so far in 2015.

Dunn said Col Garland, Jeremy Howe and Tom McDonald had all contributed strongly to Melbourne’s backline this year.

“We’ve got some boys in the backline, especially around me, who have been playing some really good footy, like Col Garland and Jeremy Howe, since he’s come back [to the backline],” he told Dee TV.

“Tommy McDonald has had a super year, so the group down there has been great and that’s reflecting in the way we play as a defensive group.”

Dunn, who finished fourth in Melbourne’s best and fairest last year, said he was pleased with his 2015 season.

“I think I’ve had a fairly consistent year,” he said.

“[I’ve] been building week-to-week and I’ve probably played a little bit taller than I have in the past as well and on a few of the key forwards, which I’ve enjoyed.”