Back in business: Dunkley eyes big 2021

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https://resources.westernbulldogs.co...952&height=592

Star midfielder Josh Dunkley has left 2020 in the rear-view mirror, as he sets his sights on recapturing the form that had him on the verge of All Australian selection a year earlier.

It was a tough year for the 24-year-old, who missed a large chunk of football due to injury before exploring a trade to Essendon at season’s end.

That trade didn’t eventuate – but he’s not disappointed.

Dunkley – ever the professional – has slotted back into the Kennel seamlessly.

“It’s been business as usual,” he told westernbulldogs.com.au.

“It was a challenging time – it’s nice to be back, and being back in the building. I haven’t approached things any differently. The boys and the staff have been really good.

“It’s been good to come back in with opens arms and get to work, train hard and be in a position where I can play the best footy I can for the team.”

Dunkley’s work ethic on the training track has been evident – he’s run a PB in his pre-season running test, and says he’s feeling ‘stronger than ever’ in the gym.

He just wants to be back playing footy again, in whatever role that might be.

If he can get a clear run at things, like in 2019, he’s hopeful of recapturing the hot streak of form that propelled him into the All Australian squad of 40 alongside the likes of Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Macrae.

“Injuries happen, and last year was disappointing missing that big chunk,” Dunkley said.

“I just want to play consistent footy. That’s what I did in 2019 and I was able to build some strength towards the back end of that season. The good players play well consistently, and that’s certainly one of my goals this year.

“Everyone came back in really good shape – which has allowed us to play through the midfield, out on a wing, up forward or wherever we need to be. I’ll work with what Bevo wants and what the team needs.”

Dunkley has made new recruit Adam Treloar feel as welcomed as anyone – the two gun on-ballers have clicked on multiple fronts.

Not just from a football perspective, but Treloar’s partner Kim and Dunkley’s sister Lara are now teammates with the Queensland Firebirds.

“When you think about our two different situations… to end up in the same environment, everything happens for a reason,” Dunkley said.

“We’ve really hit it off straight away.

“It’s a coincidence that Kimmy’s up in Queensland with Lara and we’ve got that connection too.

“It’s nice we’ve been able to become good mates already and I’m really excited about the future with him.”

I guess some fans lost a bit of respect for him after jeemak callously put him on the trade table and Essendon bit, but you've got to love the way Dunks has shrugged off his disappointment and embraced Treloar's arrival

Just joking jee :)

Hm, still going to wait a while before I take off the SHAME sign from the back of the Dunkley bobble-head.

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Originally Posted by GVGjr

I guess some fans lost a bit of respect for him after jeemak callously put him on the trade table and Essendon bit, but you've got to love the way Dunks has shrugged off his disappointment and embraced Treloar's arrival

Just joking jee :)

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It's a business.

I'm going to be skeptical of anything that comes from Dunkley's mouth, essentially I can't read anything he says that isn't through the lens of how he came across in his blog.

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Originally Posted by Murphy'sLore

Hm, still going to wait a while before I take off the SHAME sign from the back of the Dunkley bobble-head.

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My Dunkley bobble-head snapped off at the ankles.

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Originally Posted by SquirrelGrip

My Dunkley bobble-head snapped off at the ankles.

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Rucking will do that.

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Originally Posted by comrade

Rucking will do that.

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Hitting it with a hammer will too.

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Originally Posted by jeemak

It's a business.

I'm going to be skeptical of anything that comes from Dunkley's mouth, essentially I can't read anything he says that isn't through the lens of how he came across in his blog.

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Yeah all I could think about when reading the article was that Josh was talking up Treloar purely to con him into booking an appearance with the three muskateers. I heard the famous trio demanded bulldogs media remove a direct quote of Kyle telling Treloar they'd throw in one of their 'Shout out' videos at 50% off if Adam booked immediately.

I for one am sick of hearing how everyone at the club has welcomed JOSH back with open arms and have been very supportive to him. Me, me, me. What about you Josh? What are you going to do to regain the trust of the club and its supporters? You got yourself into this mess.

EDIT: I'm not anti-Josh....I mean he's pissed me off by wanting to bail to the ultimate scum. But he's a dogs player for now and that's all that matters. I'm just sick of reading all the 'sympathy' going towards him like he was a victim in all this.

I am more than happy Dunks has put it all behind him for 2021. If he wants the big dollars, then he needs to show he is worth the big dollars.

Good to hear that he's training well, from a personal perspective I haven't warmed to him just yet.

Speaking of Kyle Dunkley, he has signed with Essendons VFL team

If he'd pursued a change to another club, I might be able to forgive and forget. He'll need to perform exceptionally well, in an exceptionally well performed side for me to give him much credit.

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Originally Posted by bulldogsthru&thru

I for one am sick of hearing how everyone at the club has welcomed JOSH back with open arms and have been very supportive to him. Me, me, me. What about you Josh? What are you going to do to regain the trust of the club and its supporters? You got yourself into this mess.

EDIT: I'm not anti-Josh....I mean he's pissed me off by wanting to bail to the ultimate scum. But he's a dogs player for now and that's all that matters. I'm just sick of reading all the 'sympathy' going towards him like he was a victim in all this.

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From what I have heard none of the players were in anyway disappointed in Josh exploring his options because they get that it's a professional sport and and if it suits the club they won't think twice about moving them on if it fits in with their planning.
Supporters of course are connected more at an emotional level and regard incoming players like Treloar and when the club pushes players out like say Roughead as good business decisions but take it vastly more personally when and up and coming player like Dunkley wants to explore their options

I'm very happy that we stood our ground and kept him despite the media and jeemaks pressure to move him on :)

I've heard the playing group are fairly disappointed with Jeemak and his enthusiasm to get rid of Josh. They haven't mentioned his name since the end of the trade period. Then again they didn't mention it before the trade period either.

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Originally Posted by Twodogs

I've heard the playing group are fairly disappointed with Jeemak and his enthusiasm to get rid of Josh. They haven't mentioned his name since the end of the trade period. Then again they didn't mention it before the trade period either.

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I heard a lot of them are trembling at the thought of who will Jeemak nominate next.

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Originally Posted by Twodogs

I've heard the playing group are fairly disappointed with Jeemak and his enthusiasm to get rid of Josh. They haven't mentioned his name since the end of the trade period. Then again they didn't mention it before the trade period either.

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#tradejeemak #jeemakiscancelled

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Originally Posted by bornadog

I heard a lot of them are trembling at the thought of who will Jeemak nominate next.

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Beware the wrath of Jeemak.

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Originally Posted by EasternWest

#tradejeemak #jeemakiscancelled

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#jeemakiscancelculture

Everyone just needs to get some alternative facts straight.

It may have appeared that I was advocating for a Dunkley trade, or even incited an almost Dunkley trade. But I just wanted to make the Bulldogs great again.

In the end there were very fine people on both sides of the almost trade Dunkley scenario, and I just want to say, that what I said when I said that we should trade Dunkley was a very fine statement. It was a statement stated by a very sane genius poster, there hasn't been a more sane statement made by a poster for a while, well at least a very long time.

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Originally Posted by jeemak

Everyone just needs to get some alternative facts straight.

It may have appeared that I was advocating for a Dunkley trade, or even incited an almost Dunkley trade. But I just wanted to make the Bulldogs great again.

In the end there were very fine people on both sides of the almost trade Dunkley scenario, and I just want to say, that what I said when I said that we should trade Dunkley was a very fine statement. It was a statement stated by a very sane genius poster, there hasn't been a more sane statement made by a poster for a while, well at least a very long time.

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Thanks Donald :D:D

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Originally Posted by bornadog

Thanks Donald :D:D

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I don't think that is correct. I've looked at jee's email address it's a.dodoro
I feel like I should know that name

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Originally Posted by jeemak

Everyone just needs to get some alternative facts straight.

It may have appeared that I was advocating for a Dunkley trade, or even incited an almost Dunkley trade. But I just wanted to make the Bulldogs great again.

In the end there were very fine people on both sides of the almost trade Dunkley scenario, and I just want to say, that what I said when I said that we should trade Dunkley was a very fine statement. It was a statement stated by a very sane genius poster, there hasn't been a more sane statement made by a poster for a while, well at least a very long time.

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I never said that it wasn't a perfect post and that you aren't a very stable genius. However many people were saying that you should be impeached but I told them about your bone spurs (you must have been playing golf at the time) and now they've gone cold on the ideas.

Now repeat after me. Person, woman, man, camera, TV.

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Originally Posted by GVGjr

I don't think that is correct. I've looked at jee's email address it's a.dodoro
I feel like I should know that name

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Andrew Dorado. I'm pretty sure he was on the Don Lane show.