Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

You want Brisbane & Sydney to pay as high a price as possible if they match you

Is there really that much of a difference between the two picks we had points wise?

I've heard it elsewhere that the table was thinking Collins was gone when Hawthorn slowly called Kieran... And couldn't believe he was I play at Hawthorns pick let alone ours. It's not that strange really when you consider that we had the next pick and knew we were going to use that on Collins irrespective of the bids or non-bids on the first pick. It was just strategy that he was taken second. Both boys names were thrown around when we had pick 11. It was a ballsy move to trade down to a consecutive pick, but we won the lottery with the move. I'd love to see Dunkley work towards the engine room, but now I'd look at development and where he would benefit most playing. With Stew out and Stringer allegedly playing more midfield, perhaps forward with some mid time would be the go.

I just find it a little odd that we were apparently so over the moon that Collins was available, yet elected to go another route first. The F/S points system was probably the deciding factor here, but as I said above, was there really a difference between our picks? Anyway - important thing is we got both. I won't go as far to say that we won the lottery yet, no player is a certainty - at least not before having seen them play - but they seem good types. Looking forward to seeing what they can do at both VFL/AFL level this year.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

Is there really that much of a difference between the two picks we had points wise?



I just find it a little odd that we were apparently so over the moon that Collins was available, yet elected to go another route first. The F/S points system was probably the deciding factor here, but as I said above, was there really a difference between our picks? Anyway - important thing is we got both. I won't go as far to say that we won the lottery yet, no player is a certainty - at least not before having seen them play - but they seem good types. Looking forward to seeing what they can do at both VFL/AFL level this year.

I mean lottery in the sense if we kept pick 11 we'd have gotten one of them. Trading down got two of the players in the pick 11 discussion. That's a great result for giving up a very high pick. I can't/won't mention everything that Bevo said owing to him trusting a small group of members and bring very, very honest about a few things. Other than to say Collins was a dead set lock, he's very happy with Dunkley and rates The Specimen very highly too and thinks Adcock will be a great influence and still has good afl footy in him. As you say the main thing is we netted some very talented kids and with the right development could be vital cogs around our gun players. There's never been a better time to be a member in my lifetime and can't wait when these boys names are being bandied around the ins/outs threads. Id almost say it's never been harder to pick a best 22 with what I'm hoping to see from last year's draftees McLean, Webb, Cordy, Dale and Daniel

[GVGjr]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

Is there really that much of a difference between the two picks we had points wise?

No there wasn't. We bid for Keays and it was matched. We then bid for Dunkley ahead of Collins.

I just find it a little odd that we were apparently so over the moon that Collins was available, yet elected to go another route first. The F/S points system was probably the deciding factor here, but as I said above, was there really a difference between our picks? Anyway - important thing is we got both. I won't go as far to say that we won the lottery yet, no player is a certainty - at least not before having seen them play - but they seem good types. Looking forward to seeing what they can do at both VFL/AFL level this year.

It's sort of plausible that we rated Collins ahead of Dunkley but selected Dunkley first. I gather if the Swans had matched our bid we would have taken Collins and Adams with the next two picks but I'm not 100% certain.

[boydogs]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

Is there really that much of a difference between the two picks we had points wise?

No, but given the choice, what's the downside of making Brisbane & Sydney pay a higher price instead of a lower one?

This sort of thing could have made the difference between Sam Skinner getting to us and going the pick before

[GVGjr]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

No, but given the choice, what's the downside of making Brisbane & Sydney pay a higher price instead of a lower one?

This sort of thing could have made the difference between Sam Skinner getting to us and going the pick before

With Sydney I think I read that the difference in points wouldn't have made any difference at all. Sydney might have matched a pick 35 bid but weren't interested in matching the earlier picks we were likely to have.

[boydogs]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

With Sydney I think I read that the difference in points wouldn't have made any difference at all. Sydney might have matched a pick 35 bid but weren't interested in matching the earlier picks we were likely to have.

We weren't to know that though

We wanted Collins, then Keays, then Dunkley, then probably Adams if they were both matched

Collins was ours no matter what, so pick Keays & Dunkley first so if they are matched, Brisbane & Sydney have to pay a higher price and move further back in the order, giving us more chance of picking ahead of them at later picks

[Bornadog]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

I'm interested in hearing peoples views on where he will likely play in the seniors and what skills and qualities he has for us to have rated him so highly before the draft?

I see him playing about 10 games this year, his body seems to be quiet mature. He will play some time in the middle as well as on the wings/half forward. I am really looking forward to see how he performs.

[Mofra]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

In response to GVG, I think we clearly need another inside mid (how quickly times change) given Clay is unlikely to ever feature prominently, Libba did a knee/no guarantee to return given re-occurrences of ACLs and Koby's foot. Jong is still very much unproven despite a good improvement curve. We were pretty slim in this area last year at times and whilst at 'full strength' we look fine, reality is you're never at full strength. A lot of inside mids do get injured throughout the year too, so more depth is probably needed. At a pick close to 30, we probably saw Dunkley as a - fitting a need and b - best available.

I don't think there is anything wrong with having a surplus of players who can win their own ball if most of those players can be effective when they're not in the midfield rotation. Libba is an excellent kick (especially given time and space on his left foot), Bonti is brilliant at distributing the ball, Stringer is a beast, Koby spent half his time playing high forward, etc

A lot of people didn't want Wines because he's an "inside mid" - he's a matchwinner. The old "inside / outside mid" paradigm isn't really a good fit for modern football anymore.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

A lot of people didn't want Wines because he's an "inside mid" - he's a matchwinner. The old "inside / outside mid" paradigm isn't really a good fit for modern football anymore.

Yep, it's certainly changed, however there will always be genuine ball winners (Wines, seemingly Dunkley) and those who are better distributing the ball by foot (eg. Dale) but in today's game you really can't afford to be one or the other. You need to be both.

Macrae has turned out to be a great example of this. He can now win his own ball but he still finds space. Wines is a beast too, both selections must make Melbourne cry knowing they went Toumpas.

[Mofra]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

Macrae has turned out to be a great example of this. He can now win his own ball but he still finds space. Wines is a beast too, both selections must make Melbourne cry knowing they went Toumpas.

Macrae is an exception rather than the rule - HFFer who became a midfielder during his draft year who learned to win his own ball at the elite level.
Big tick to Dalrymple in drafting kids with 'teachibility'

[LostDoggy]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

A great example of a player who had been pigeon holed as a pure inside mid for years, but moved into a more varied role would have to be Matty Boyd. Great to have a back flanker who is also a contested ball beast when the need arises.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

A great example of a player who had been pigeon holed as a pure inside mid for years, but moved into a more varied role would have to be Matty Boyd. Great to have a back flanker who is also a contested ball beast when the need arises.

It will be sad to see Matty go and I bet he has a great year, but it could be his last with guys like Dunkley in the wings.

[Mofra]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

It will be sad to see Matty go and I bet he has a great year, but it could be his last with guys like Dunkley in the wings.

Also take into account his new role and Adcock being able to play it (experienced head in the backline).
The end creeps up pretty quickly on some, although Boyd is a Crossy-like freak with training so who knows.

[Twodogs]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

Also take into account his new role and Adcock being able to play it (experienced head in the backline).
The end creeps up pretty quickly on some, although Boyd is a Crossy-like freak with training so who knows.

Started a couple of years later too. But on the other hand he took more than his fair share of bash and crash.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Josh Dunkley

A great example of a player who had been pigeon holed as a pure inside mid for years, but moved into a more varied role would have to be Matty Boyd. Great to have a back flanker who is also a contested ball beast when the need arises.

Was probably his long bomb style of kick, most frustrating for supporters, that earned him his reputation.