Brisbane recruiters “deserve a pat on the back” for luring Josh Dunkley north to overcome the club’s “kryptonite” that’s seen the Lions fall short in finals the past four years.
Dunkley was best on ground in his side’s 26-point win over Carlton on Friday night, keeping Blues skipper and reigning Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps to season lows for disposals, contested possessions, clearances and score involvements.
But Dunkley also racked up an impressive 33 touches, 13 tackles, six clearances, six intercepts and more than 550 metres gained.
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Three-time Brisbane premiership great Jonathan Brown was adamant ex-Bulldog Dunkley is the missing piece to the Lions’ puzzle.
“He’s been fantastic, a great pick-up,” he praised on Fox Footy.
“The improvement in the middle is definitely on show.
“Dunkley was a standout.
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“In the past, they’ve had problems with Patrick Cripps, they’ve had problems with big-bodied midfielders.
“It’s been the kryptonite of the Brisbane Lions for the last couple of years.
“There’s no doubt they wanted to get him (Dunkley) out there and put that physical pressure on Cripps.
“I think that’s been really important, and that’s the story for the Lions going forward.
“He’ll help Brisbane’s midfield avoid being bullied. The Lions won’t like me using this word, but they’ve been bullied and stood over by some big-bodied midfielders in previous finals series.
“Whether it be Patrick Dangerfield, Christian Petracca, or Clayton Oliver, or Dusty Martin three or four years ago – they need a player like him (Dunkley) – an enforcer type, big bodied to be able to cope with that pressure.”
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan was full of praise for his midfield recruit, describing Dunkley as a “rare beast”.
“It’s one of the great games I’ve ever seen,” he said.
“I would have settled for Cripps to have a quiet game to be honest with you, but Josh’s influence on the contest was exceptional.
“He’s happy to roll his sleeves up and do a job for the team.
“He studied Cripps all week.
“Our recruiters deserve a pat on the back for getting Josh Dunkley to our club – he’s made an enormous difference.”
Fox Footy’s Nick Dal Santo said Dunkley stepped up for a Brisbane outfit missing veterans Daniel Rich and Dayne Zorko.
“His attack on the football is ferocious, he’s kamikaze at times,” Dal Santo praised on Fox Footy Live.
“I thought it was a really well-rounded performance.
“This is why you get someone like this to your football club.
“People like Josh Dunkley set the scene for you.”
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Fox Footy’s Jordan Lewis said with Dunkley and rookie Will Ashcroft now in the Lions’ midfield, they had “good depth”.
“Dunkley, it’s like he took it upon himself to be that bigger body in the contest and really take it up to Carlton and Cripps in particular,” he said.
“I thought he was outstanding.
“He’s gone from a run with and a tagger to now a bona fide midfielder himself.
“He’s provided leadership, he’s provided a really good mix.
“They were able to win that arm wrestle in the middle of the ground (thanks to Dunkley).”
