Former Bulldogs star ready to roar for Lions

A former Bulldogs star is turning up the heat in his first pre-season campaign with the Brisbane Lions.

Ex-Bulldog Josh Dunkley has settled in well in Brisbane. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

THE heat is on Josh Dunkley in more ways than one as he adjusts to life at the Brisbane Lions following his off-season move from the Western Bulldogs.

Dunkley, 25, is regarded as one of the final pieces in the Lions’ premiership puzzle.

Having won a flag as a teenager with the Bulldogs in 2016, the Sydney-born midfielder knows what’s needed to climb the AFL’s highest mountain.

Dunkley also has a great footballing pedigree, with his father Andrew having made 217 appearances across 11 seasons for the Swans.

Josh is grateful to his father for many things, including enrolling him and his brother Kyle – who is also on the Lions’ books – in ballet classes as youngsters alongside their sister Lara, who plays netball for the Queensland Firebirds.

“It’s been beneficial with recovery, stretching and mobility, so it’s really good for what we do as athletes and players,” Josh said.

“Everyone would have a laugh about it when I was at primary school … but that’s one little thing that I look back on and am grateful that I did.”

Josh Dunkley (right) and his brother Kyle are now together in Brisbane. Picture: AAP Image / Hamish Blair

The Lions will be just as thankful if the elegant feet of Dunkley can help secure them their first premiership since 2003.

Brisbane’s recruitment of Dunkley, former Hawthorn star Jack Gunston, ex-Essendon talent Conor McKenna, and father-son draft pair Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher has raised expectations the Lions will win the flag in 2023.

“We’ve been working towards this for six years now; to put ourselves into a position where there’s expectation, we’re excited,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said:.

“The focus is to improve, (and) hopefully we can improve enough to be there on the last day in September – that’s what we’re aiming for.”

Dunkley said he wasn’t feeling any extra pressure to help the Lions take the final step in their premiership journey.

Instead, he’s just happy to contribute in a team which already has a host of stars, including talisman and 2020 Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale.

Dunkley admits he’s still adjusting to Brisbane’s heat and humidity.

“I thought I was OK until (last) Wednesday. That’s when it really hit me,” he said.

“They were probably the hottest conditions that I’ve ever trained in.”

Originally published as Former Bulldogs star ready to roar for Lions