Are we are a better team in 2023 without Dunkley?

[jeemak]

Re: Are we are a better team in 2023 without Dunkley?

Another way of answering this would be - if Dunkley was available would we put him in our side?

The answer to that is yes, of course.

Should I start another trade Dunkley thread?

[mjp]

Re: Are we are a better team in 2023 without Dunkley?

Another way of answering this would be - if Dunkley was available would we put him in our side?

The answer to that is yes, of course.

100% we would because he's a good player. But whilst we do need a 'bit' (and maybe the JJ move back addresses some of what we were missing) what Dunks brings is not really what we need. I never wanted him to leave though - he was awesome for us - but the whole 'jist' (is that a word) of the legendary "trade dunks" thread was not wrong.

[EasternWest]

Re: Are we are a better team in 2023 without Dunkley?

100% we would because he's a good player. But whilst we do need a 'bit' (and maybe the JJ move back addresses some of what we were missing) what Dunks brings is not really what we need. I never wanted him to leave though - he was awesome for us - but the whole 'jist' (is that a word) of the legendary "trade dunks" thread was not wrong.

Wait till you see the " Trade Bailey Smith" that jeemak is working on.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Are we are a better team in 2023 without Dunkley?

Wait till you see the " Trade Bailey Smith" that jeemak is working on.

Trade his hair cut at least.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Are we are a better team in 2023 without Dunkley?

Good player, we miss elements of his game, but we don't miss him.

For all his attributes defensively he didn't stop the rot once, and Treloar is quite frankly a better mid. Our balance is better.

Good player, but he's surplus to our needs.

[whythelongface]

Re: Are we are a better team in 2023 without Dunkley?

Good question. Probably too early to tell right now. Definitely missed him our first two games but we were probably adjusting to life without him. Could have helped against Richmond’s run in last week but as others have alluded it was a recurring theme even with him in the team.

Without Dunks it means Treloar plays a different role. A role that he is more suited to. To me this makes us a better team. Thus right now I feel we are a better team with our current set up, however time will tell.

[MrMahatma]

Re: Are we are a better team in 2023 without Dunkley?

I don’t think this year we miss him. Maybe in 2 when Libba hangs them up, and Macrae starts getting injured. But until then, we’re fine. We def need to be blooding some youth in those roles in the next couple of years though.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Are we are a better team in 2023 without Dunkley?

Good question. Probably too early to tell right now. Definitely missed him our first two games but we were probably adjusting to life without him. Could have helped against Richmond’s run in last week but as others have alluded it was a recurring theme even with him in the team.

Without Dunks it means Treloar plays a different role. A role that he is more suited to. To me this makes us a better team. Thus right now I feel we are a better team with our current set up, however time will tell.

Agree. A fit and firing Treloar is a better football than Dunkley.

[chef]

Re: Are we are a better team in 2023 without Dunkley?

Would have been handy last night.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Are we are a better team in 2023 without Dunkley?

Would have been handy last night.

Conditions would have suited him.

But we didn't have him and we still completely dominated clearances and the midfield until the last 10 minutes of the game. If he played it would have probably meant less time in the middle for Treloar, Bont and Libba. I'm not too sure he would have been the difference.

The midfielders are given more opportunity than other players to influence games. Who you play there is critical. If Dunkley plays, it means you need to judge what he would have brought in those moments against our other choices last night.

Last year. Centre clearances for the Dogs. Averages.

Libba 2.7
Bont 2.5
Macrae 2.4
English 2.1
Dunkley 1.9
Smith 1.4

2023 Centre Clearances

Bont 3.8
Treloar 3.0
Libba 2.0
Macrae 1.0
English 0.8
Smith 0.8

So Treloar has basically replaced Dunks in the middle.

[The Underdog]

Re: Are we are a better team in 2023 without Dunkley?

Honestly, I think we’d be pretty much the same team. I mean we were last year when he was here. Same strengths, same weaknesses (maybe stronger in the backline with Jones, but otherwise). He’s a very good player, but we’re an 8-12 team either way.