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The Ghost Who Walks
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Josh Dunkley showdown looms as Bulldogs play hard ball (Peter Ryan and Michael Gleeson, The Age, 06/10)
The Western Bulldogs are prepared to send their best and fairest winner Josh Dunkleyinto the pre-season draft if the Brisbane Lions don’t offer a suitable deal for the 25-year-old midfielder.PLAYERCARDSTART5Josh Dunkley
- Age
- 27
- Ht
- 191cm
- Wt
- 87kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 21.8
- 5star
- K
- 10.4
- 4star
- HB
- 11.3
- 5star
- M
- 4.3
- 4star
- T
- 5.8
- 5star
- CL
- 3.2
- 5star
- D
- 20.7
- 5star
- K
- 7.0
- 3star
- HB
- 13.7
- 5star
- M
- 2.3
- 2star
- T
- 5.3
- 5star
- CL
- 2.7
- 4star
- D
- 14.2
- 4star
- K
- 7.2
- 3star
- HB
- 7.0
- 5star
- M
- 4.8
- 5star
- T
- 4.0
- 5star
- CL
- 1.4
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
The club’s list management committee has agreed to the shock move that could leave them empty-handed after the Lions traded out pick 15 in a pick swap with the Giants on Wednesday, scuppering the chances of them landing Dunkley in exchange for selection 15 and a future first round pick.
The Lions did that deal after the Bulldogs refused to send later picks to the Lions along with Dunkley in exchange for two first round draft picks.
A Bulldogs’ source said the club would be prepared to cop the inevitable fallout and pick Dunkley up in the pre-season draft if he was still available at that stage rationalising the move on the basis it would deny a likely finals’ competitor a gun midfielder.
The Bulldogs are not prepared to accept merely a future first round selection for the premiership player and will turn their attention to attempting to poach a Lions player along with a future first round pick if the Lions cannot find a way to satisfy their demands.
A source close to the negotiations said the Lions were preparing to offer pick 21 and a future first rounder for Dunkley, however a Brisbane spokesperson told The Age the club was “insistent on not playing the negotiations out in public”.
The Bulldogs are not interested in Rhys Mathiesonwho is exploring his options but could enquire about emerging players on the Lions’ list.PLAYERCARDSTART36Rhys Mathieson
- Age
- 27
- Ht
- 186cm
- Wt
- 86kg
- Pos.
- M/F
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 17.1
- 4star
- K
- 7.9
- 3star
- HB
- 9.2
- 5star
- M
- 2.9
- 3star
- T
- 3.4
- 5star
- CL
- 3.4
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 18.4
- 5star
- K
- 9.4
- 4star
- HB
- 9.0
- 5star
- M
- 2.2
- 3star
- T
- 4.0
- 5star
- CL
- 2.8
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
The hardline stance from the Bulldogs is likely to accelerate the Lions’ thinking as they prioritise getting a deal done for Jack Gunston before turning their attention to Dunkley with six days still remaining before the trade deadline.
The Lions were courting Dunkley from midway through the season with the midfielder nominating the Lions soon after they bowed out of the premiership race in the preliminary final. The Lions offered a long-term deal for Dunkley to support brilliant midfielder Lachie Nealewith the Bulldogs, who also offered him a long-term deal, disappointed to lose him.PLAYERCARDSTART9Lachie Neale
- Age
- 30
- Ht
- 178cm
- Wt
- 84kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 27.0
- 5star
- K
- 11.5
- 4star
- HB
- 15.5
- 5star
- M
- 4.0
- 4star
- T
- 3.7
- 5star
- CL
- 5.9
- 5star
- D
- 28.3
- 5star
- K
- 13.9
- 5star
- HB
- 14.4
- 5star
- M
- 4.6
- 4star
- T
- 4.0
- 5star
- CL
- 5.9
- 5star
- D
- 12.0
- 3star
- K
- 4.6
- 2star
- HB
- 7.4
- 5star
- M
- 2.0
- 3star
- T
- 1.0
- 3star
- CL
- 0.4
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND