Josh Dunkley’s manager has taken a swipe at the Western Bulldogs while expressing frustration with how trade talks with the Brisbane Lions dragged out.
Dunkley was dealt to the Lions in the 11th hour of Wednesday night’s trade period deadline despite requesting a move to Brisbane last month.
It saw the gun midfielder as well as a future third-round draft pick and a future third rounder traded to the Lions in exchange for Pick 21, a future first rounder, a future second rounder and a future fourth rounder.
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Speaking on AFLTrade Radio after the swap, Pickering was left frustrated after revealing the future fourth rounder coming back to the Dogs in the move was what the clubs were haggling over.
“It was just a future pick, a fourth I think. It dragged on a bit longer than it should have,” Pickering told AFL Trade Radio.
“As I said there was some haggling and whatnot at the end, but really happy for Josh and he’s gone to the club he wants to go to.
“I think it could have been done first thing this morning to be honest.
“Haggling over a pick that’s in the future, a fourth-round pick that is probably never going to get used anyway, but anyway that’s what we do.”
Asked if he’d made contact with the Dogs after the trade, Pickering said: “Nah, they‘re way down the other end, it’s in alphabetical order, so I’ll probably dodge them tonight.”
It comes after Dunkley’s bid to get traded to Essendon was rejected two years ago due to the Bombers unwillingness to meet the Dogs’ demands of two first round picks for the then contracted on-baller.
The 25-year old has made 116 AFL appearances since making his debut in 2016, playing in the premiership win in his first season and claiming he club’s best and fairest this year.
