THE warmth is on Josh Dunkley in additional methods than one as he adjusts to life on the Brisbane Lions following his low season transfer from the Western Bulldogs.
Dunkley, 25, is considered one of many ultimate items within the Lions’ premiership puzzle.
Having received a flag as a young person with the Bulldogs in 2016, the Sydney-born midfielder is aware of what’s wanted to climb the AFL’s highest mountain.
Dunkley additionally has a terrific footballing pedigree, together with his father Andrew having made 217 appearances throughout 11 seasons for the Swans.
Josh is grateful to his father for a lot of issues, together with enrolling him and his brother Kyle – who can also be on the Lions’ books – in ballet courses as kids alongside their sister Lara, who performs netball for the Queensland Firebirds.
“It’s been helpful with restoration, stretching and mobility, so it’s actually good for what we do as athletes and gamers,” Josh stated.
“Everybody would have fun about it after I was at main faculty … however that’s one little factor that I look again on and am grateful that I did.”
The Lions can be simply as grateful if the elegant toes of Dunkley will help safe them their first premiership since 2003.
Brisbane’s recruitment of Dunkley, former Hawthorn star Jack Gunston, ex-Essendon expertise Conor McKenna, and father-son draft pair Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher has raised expectations the Lions will win the flag in 2023.
“We’ve been working in the direction of this for six years now; to place ourselves right into a place the place there’s expectation, we’re excited,” Lions coach Chris Fagan stated:.
“The main target is to enhance, (and) hopefully we will enhance sufficient to be there on the final day in September – that’s what we’re aiming for.”
Dunkley stated he wasn’t feeling any further stress to assist the Lions take the ultimate step of their premiership journey.
As a substitute, he’s simply glad to contribute in a staff which already has a bunch of stars, together with talisman and 2020 Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale.
Dunkley admits he’s nonetheless adjusting to Brisbane’s warmth and humidity.
“I assumed I used to be OK till (final) Wednesday. That’s when it actually hit me,” he stated.
“They have been most likely the most well liked circumstances that I’ve ever skilled in.”
