Bulldogs champions Josh Dunkley one step closer to bumper move after Lions trade

The Brisbane Lions are one step closer to securing the services of Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley after this trade with GWS.

Josh Dunkley of the Bulldogs. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The Brisbane Lions are one step closer to securing the services of Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley.

On day three of the AFL Trade Period, Brisbane and the Greater Western Sydney Giants agreed to a deal that could pave the way for Dunkley to join the Lions next season.

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On Wednesday afternoon, the Lions sent pick 15 to the Giants in exchange for the No. 21 pick and a future second-round selection.

The deal gives Brisbane more flexibility to trade future picks — the Bulldogs reportedly want nothing less than two first-round picks from the Lions in exchange for Dunkley, The Herald Sun reports.

The out-of-contract Bulldogs premiership player nominated the Lions after previously weighing up Port Adelaide.

“I don’t think Dunkley’s departure is the worst thing in the world,” former Bulldogs star Adam Cooney told AFL Trade Radio.

“It helps (Adam) Treloar get back into the midfield, rather than floating through half-forward. It might settle them.”

Earlier this week, the Lions received pick No. 35 from the AFL as compensation for forward Daniel McStay’s departure to Collingwood as a free agent.

Josh Dunkley of the Bulldogs. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Elsewhere, Giants Lachie Whitfield and Nick Haynes could find themselves on the trade table if a deal between GWS and Richmond over contracted midfielder Jacob Hopper can’t be reached.

Tim Taranto has already landed at the Tigers and Hopper could follow suit.

But f GWS and Richmond can’t come to an agreement over Hopper, it could open the door for St Kilda or Hawthorn to swoop in and poach Whitfield or Haynes, according to AFL Media’s Callum Twomey.

“Jacob Hopper has been pretty up front saying that he’s keen to get to Richmond, but understanding that he’s under contract and the deal has to be right,” he said on AFL Trade Radio.

“Would St Kilda put their hand up and use their salary cap space … would they make a play for Lachie Whitfield?

“Hawthorn clearly has salary cap space, they’ve been in the running for Jack Bowes and are interested in him but they also have the salary cap space to do that.

“I wouldn’t say this is a hold up with the Hopper deal, but this impasse could create an opportunity for another club to go and target a different player and I think those players would be (Lachie) Whitfield and Nick (Haynes).

“I’m not saying (Whitfield and Haynes) are looking for trades, but I think the conversation will be had.”

Footy journalist Damian Barrett continued: “Until the trade window is closed, the names of Lachie Whitfield and Nick Haynes will be spoken about.”

But according to AFL reporter Sam Edmund, only Haynes is at risk of falling victim to the salary cap splurge.

“Lachie Whitfield is not going anywhere, so there won’t be any movement there,” he told

AFL Trade Radio

“In an ideal world, I think GWS would like to move Nick Haynes on as part of their reset.”

Originally published as Bulldogs champions Josh Dunkley one step closer to bumper move after Lions trade