Toast Josh Dunkley

[Braybrook Son]

When I started this thread back in early 2018, I thought we should trade Dunkley, less than 2 years later, in round 17, 2019 against Melbourne, while playing as a mid, he collects 22 kicks, 17 handballs, 9 clearances, 15 tackles, kicks 2 goals and takes 6 marks in what I believe is the best individual performance by a player that I’ve witnessed in 5 years or more.

Fastly becoming a top 5 player at the Dogs, and a big reason for our resurgence late 2019 towards an unlikely finals berth for the club.

I can admit when I’m wrong, and boy was I wrong about Josh! Discuss...

 

[The Inbetweener]

Won’t get much for him. Would consider if we could.

Have never really been a fan but he looks to have really dropped off since dropping that chest mark v Sydney.

 

[Hard Ball Get]

Premiership player. 21 odd years old. Playing multiple positions to help the team.
No.

 

[lachy]

Meh least of our problems. Needs to develop in 2 roles not the 10 he is being asked to

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

Let’s trade him. We also should have traded Macrae and Hunter should have gone for Josh Walker.

Let’s also trade Dahlhaus, too. Can we piss Liber off as well?

F me... definition of reactionary.

 

[Yojimbo]

Josh is excellent when holding a static position as his aerial timing is very good
his set shot kicking can be problematic though. When the ball is in it's phase
of transition he like many of our players can struggle with the leg speed that
is necessary. The forward line dynamic is wrong at the dogs and that is why
you see Johannisen and Wood tried up forward, JJ had the potential to kick
four goals last night, but he kicked four points. Bevo is caught between a
rock and a hard place when it comes to the "Handball Club" as it does not
benefit forward cohesion at all.

 

[bullish23]

Ridiculous call.

Beveridge at times has played him FF, CHF and in the ruck. The coach has to take the heat on this one.

 

[Igloo]

Low effort OP deserves low effort response.

Nah. But give Bevo a call to let him know you don't see it.

 

[Hard Ball Get]

I disagree that it's Bev's fault too. He's adapting the team to be at its best. To do That, Dunks has had to play multiple positions.

Sure he can play him in one spot to help him out, but it would be at the expense of the team.

 

[Johnny_Dogg4]

from what ive seen thus far
very lucky to play in a premiership due to injuries to other players

i dont have hope he will be anything great.
an average player, doesnt excel in anything

i know he is meant to be a mid, so i can only hope he gets game time in the midfield and does good.

 

[ScragCity]

Dunkley > Jong, Honey and Webb combined

 

[Libba39]

Last night showed up pretty much every weakness in his game.
If marking is out of the equation he has few tricks and is not physically competitive in terms of speed or agility.

 

[Tommycash]

Better mid then third tall. A keeper though.

 

[dogwatch]

I disagree that it's Bev's fault too. He's adapting the team to be at its best. To do That, Dunks has had to play multiple positions.

Sure he can play him in one spot to help him out, but it would be at the expense of the team.

I get what you're saying but isn't it also at the expense of the team if Dunkley loses all form?

I'd prefer to see him played predominantly as an inside midfielder where his size and strength would be beneficial. And his weaknesses - kicking and lack of speed - won't be so obvious. At the moment he's in danger of not becoming proficient in any role at all and that will be somewhat career-limiting.

Don't mind him taking the ruck in the occasional stoppage but mainly as a surprise tactic or to fill in while the other talls are interchanging/resting. He could easily do that while playing inside mid.

 

[Mattdougie]

I disagree that it's Bev's fault too. He's adapting the team to be at its best. To do That, Dunks has had to play multiple positions.

Sure he can play him in one spot to help him out, but it would be at the expense of the team.

He’s adapting a team that won a flag to be at its best???

My god this logic hurts my brain

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

You’re the definition of our ‘safe’ supporters. “Oh we can’t trade him”. Never get anywhere with that mentality

So because I don’t want to trade one of our better young players when he’s struggling we’ll get nowhere?

 

[Dazb86]

Don't mind Dunkley. Reminds me of Wallis a bit. Worth holding onto.

 

[Mattdougie]

There would be at least ten blokes that would go before Dunks

 

[Hard Ball Get]

I get what you're saying but isn't it also at the expense of the team if Dunkley loses all form?

I'd prefer to see him played predominantly as an inside midfielder where his size and strength would be beneficial. And his weaknesses - kicking and lack of speed - won't be so obvious. At the moment he's in danger of not becoming proficient in any role at all and that will be somewhat career-limiting.

Don't mind him taking the ruck in the occasional stoppage but mainly as a surprise tactic or to fill in while the other talls are interchanging/resting. He could easily do that while playing inside mid.

I guess, but he hasn't. He was very good against Brisbane.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

I think Dunkley eventually becomes a midfielder, but right now I don't think he's good enough to play there consistently in the AFL. His ground ball skills aren't terrific, he's not strong enough in the core and he doesn't spread very well from the contest. He gets burned when the ball isn't in the air.

There's a reason a huge proportion of his midfield time is when he's in the ruck. He's simply not competitive enough against other midfielders. Against a ruck he's a net positive at ground level and on the spread.

I think he's got a lot of talent. I think he'll be a good player - probably a mid. But I think if he doesn't play predominantly forward right now, we have two issues: (1) who does?; and (2) is he good enough to play AFL midfield currently?

 

[Go_Dogs]

The big slam Dunk is a solid young player.

Will not be anywhere close to the trade table.

 

[jdz101]

no thanks.

So far from who we should be trading its not funny.

 

[Anja_Nees]

Not much point in trading players like Dunkley in the form he’s in. By the time you’re in the 30s you’re at best a 35% chance to find a player who goes on to become a clear member of the best 22. On current form he’s steak knives, not even a decent pick.

I think he’ll do ok as a midfielder who pinched forward but has a way to go yet.

 

[SCRAY72]

They just gave him number 5.

 

[flamethrower]

The recruiters from 17 clubs just wet themselves at the prospect of a player with the upside of Josh Dunkley being available during the trade period.