Josh Dunkley wants to be a Lion.
Multiple reports on Monday morning indicated the off-contract Dunkley had requested a trade to Brisbane, which was only eliminated from the 2022 premiership race on Friday night.
Dunkley for weeks had been weighing up offers from both the Lions and Port Adelaide after putting off talks with the Western Bulldogs, who were keen to retain Dunkley and had their own long-term contract on the table for months. The Power’s long-term offer for Dunkley was around $650,000 per season.
Watch every match of the AFLW Season LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
But Dunkley is now set to sign a six-year deal at Brisbane reportedly worth between $700,000 and $750,000 a year.
As Dunkley doesn’t yet qualify for free agency, he can only move clubs via trade.
The Dogs would likely command at least one first-round pick in a trade for Dunkley, who attended Monday night’s Brownlow Medal count and polled 14 votes — the most of any Bulldog this season and the second-most he’s had in a season.
It means a tricky trade period looms for Brisbane, which will have to find enough draft points to match early bids on father-son guns Will Ashcroft — the clear Pick 1 favourite — and Jaspa Fletcher — a first-round prospect. After Friday night’s preliminary final loss to Geelong, the Lions hold Picks 15, 33, 44 (via Port Adelaide) and 69 in the draft, so will need more picks in their arsenal to have enough points to secure Ashcroft and Fletcher.
The Lions will receive a free agency compensation pick for losing Dan McStay, who’s bound for Collingwood, while fellow free agent Darcy Gardiner remains unsigned.
Dunkley’s desire to join Brisbane comes two years after he famously requested a trade to Essendon mid-Bulldogs contract, only for the deal to fall over as the Bombers weren’t willing to offer two first-round picks to the Dogs.
A 2016 premiership player, Dunkley has played 116 games for the Bulldogs since being selected with Pick 25 in the 2015 draft.
MORE TO COME
