The Western Bulldogs are making an appeal for Josh Dunkley over his future as all three clubs chasing the midfielder’s signature are now officially out of the premiership race.
Brisbane crashed out of the post-season in a 71-point preliminary final loss to Geelong as the Lions now prepare for a busy off-season, including their pursuit of Dunkley alongside Port Adelaide and his current club.
The Queensland-based side are also looking to secure father-son pair Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher in the draft, complicating their game for Dunkley as the Dogs would likely command at least one first-round pick in a trade.
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Ashcroft could receive an offer with Pick 1 and Fletcher in the top 20, while the Lions currently hold picks 14, 33, 44 and 69.
Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph revealed to Fox Footy that all three clubs are still in the dark about Dunkley’s decision, but questioned how the Lions could go ahead with the move given their father-son plans .
Dunkley’s decision looms (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
“Josh Dunkley, they’re waiting for him. They have no real optimism that he’s going to stay,” Ralph said.
“Certainly the Western Bulldogs still think they have a chance to stay, Port Adelaide are also in the running. I don’t think there is a big favorite at this stage
“If they (Brisbane) can get Dunkley in, they’d have to give up a couple of early rounds for him and it’s a big spend in terms of picks. I’m not sure how they would do it.
“A lot of movement at the station for the Lions as they work from a disappointing preliminary final loss.”
Dunkley said earlier this month that the prospect of getting closer to family would play a big part in his call. Her partner, Tippah Dwan, plays for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the Suncorp Super Netball competition, but her sister, Lara, is a member of the Queensland Firebirds.
It comes amid suggestions Dunkley could head north given the time it is taking him to make a decision, while the Lions were the last active suitors this season before Friday night’s result.
“As of Wednesday morning, the Lions are very comfortable with where their talks are at,” senior AFL Media reporter Damian Barrett said on this week’s AFL Trade Radio launch.
“Sometimes we do at this stage of these periods put two and two together and the fact that they’re still alive in the finals and the other destination is potentially Port Adelaide and they’ve been out of action for a while and there’s been no publicly announced, I think it allows us to think that it’s at least a line ball from that perspective.”
the age reported earlier this month that Port’s offer was “considered more attractive” than Brisbane’s, with rival clubs believing he has a strong chance of seeking a fresh start elsewhere after being sitting on a long-term contract offer from the Dogs for months.
Herald Sun reporter Jay Clark revealed that clubs are becoming increasingly anxious about Dunkley’s impending decision.
“Clubs are starting to get a bit nervous about getting a response, they’d like to see things go on,” Clark told Triple M.
“Brisbane would love to add another powerful force, another strong body to their midfield. It gives Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage another Robin to their Batman.”
Because Dunkley, 25, does not qualify for free agency, he would have to be acquired via trade.