AFL Trade 2022: Josh Dunkley joins Lions as Lachie Hunter and Josh Schache depart Bulldogs

Josh Dunkley has spoken for the first time after his trade to Brisbane finally went through, and revealed a phone call from a Lions superstar helped ease his nerves.

The comforting words of Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale helped ease any doubts a “nervous” Josh Dunkley had about the completion of his move from the Western Bulldogs to the Lions.

Dunkley’s deal with Brisbane wasn’t finalised until the closing stages of the AFL’s trade period as the Bulldogs sought the best possible compensation for losing the 25-year-old midfielder and 2016 premiership player.

“I’d be lying to say I didn’t get nervous,” said Dunkley, who was with his father at the family farm when the trade was finalised.

“The old man actually was saying that he’d never been so nervous in his life. Fifteen minutes to go (in the trade period when the switch was sealed) I think it was, so it was great to get the deal done.

“It did take some time, we always knew it would, but I had confidence in Dom (Ambrogio, Brisbane list manager) and the Lions team to get the deal done.

“Everyone was probably frustrated (on) both sides ... but it is what happens in trade period. Both clubs have got to try to get a win out of the situation.

“At the end of the day, the deal’s done, and we’re both happy camps, which is good.”

Brisbane Lions recruit Josh Dunkley. Picture: Brisbane Lions Twitter

Dunkley revealed that Neale – whose move to Brisbane from Fremantle ahead of the 2019 AFL season also took time to finalise – had phoned him a few days ago to assure him the trade would get done.

“Lachie rang me ... and just reassured me that his deal was pretty similar and the way it all transpired with him, so to give me that confidence was pretty special from someone that’s been through it all before and someone of his calibre too, who’s now my teammate,” Dunkley said.

“It was a special moment for me and I look forward to catching up with everyone else soon.”

Dunkley has also had several conversations with Lions coach Chris Fagan, who has taken a leave of absence from his as the AFL investigates allegations of racism at Hawthorn and his alleged involvement in them during his time at the Hawks.

“‘Fages’ has been so good to me along the journey and already I feel like I’ve built a special connection with him,” Dunkley said.

“It’s all happening behind the scenes at the moment, but I back him in. He’s been a special person to ne already, so I really appreciate all his support and I’ll support him no matter what, too.”

The Lions traded their second round draft selection, and future first, second and fourth round picks to the Bulldogs in exchange for Dunkley and two future third round selections.

“I’m just excited to get up there (to Brisbane). I’ve got to earn my stripes all over again. I want to be even better again with my footy and I know that I can take things to new levels,” said Dunkley, whose partner is netballer Tippah Dwan, a Queenslander who has played in the Super Netball competition for the Firebirds and the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Kennel cleanout: Dogs trade out key trio

Two of the Western Bulldogs’ past five best-and-fairest winners have departed Whitten Oval in a sensational postscript to a rocky season.

In a late twist, versatile midfielder Lachie Hunter joined Josh Dunkley (Brisbane) and Josh Schache (Melbourne) in departing the Bulldogs on the final day of the trade period.

However, the Bulldogs did land Fremantle key forward Rory Lobb in an eleventh-hour deal after handing over pick 30 and a future second-round selection to the Dockers.

Hunter’s move to Melbourne came despite him having two years to run on his contract at Whitten Oval.

The Bulldogs are believed to be paying part of Hunter’s remaining salary after being receptive to his request for a “fresh start” and accepting only a future third-round pick from Melbourne for him.

Josh Dunkley is now a Lion. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

A 2018 best-and-fairest winner at the Bulldogs, Hunter took two months of personal leave in the middle of this season and played just five senior games after Round 5.

But the 27-year-old is hopeful of making one of the wings his own at Melbourne next year, opposite Ed Langdon.

“We wanted to add some more run, ball use and high footy IQ into our group,” Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb said.

“Lachie’s an elite runner, he’s an elite decision maker and his ball use is outstanding. We felt that that connection piece inside 50 had troubled us at times (this year).

“We’re pumped to have Lachie. We think he’s going to be an outstanding addition to our football club.”

Lachie Hunter was one of the surprise moves on deadline day. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Hunter’s move had been kept under wraps despite some interest between the two clubs to get the deal done over recent weeks.

Melbourne only finished doing its due diligence on Hunter in recent days.

“There were some conversations around Lachie for a time and if there was another opportunity elsewhere a fresh start would probably be best for him so we were obviously happy to accommodate that,” Western Bulldogs list manager Sam Power said.

Lobb’s arrival at the Bulldogs came after some tense negotiating with the Dockers, who ended up getting their wish of two second-round draft picks for him.

The Bulldogs received a future fourth-round selection from Melbourne for Schache, who featured in just seven senior games this year.

After playing off in the 2021 Grand Final, the Bulldogs finished eighth on the ladder this season before losing their elimination final to Fremantle by 13 points.

Originally published as AFL Trade 2022: Josh Dunkley joins Lions as Lachie Hunter and Josh Schache depart Bulldogs