Josh Dunkley to embrace ‘challenge’ of helping Brisbane Lions win Saturday’s AFL grand final
One of Brisbane’s most valuable players is intent on improving his grand final record in Saturday’s AFL decider.
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Lions star Josh Dunkley will “do anything” asked of him in Saturday’s AFL decider in his bid to not only help Brisbane secure its first premiership since 2003 but also square his own personal grand final ledger.
Too often an unsung hero of Brisbane’s team, ultimate team man Dunkley will play in his fourth grand final when the Lions meet the Sydney Swans at the MCG.
The 27-year-old midfielder won a flag with the Western Bulldogs in 2016 but since then has been in two grand-final losing sides – the Bulldogs outfit that lost to Melbourne in 2021 and the Lions line-up beaten by just four points by Collingwood last season.
With the narrow loss to the Magpies still a sore point for Brisbane, Dunkley is determined to go one better on Saturday.
“It’s either the best day of your life or the worst day,” the Lions vice-captain said.
“Last year we had our opportunities to win the game. I know a lot of the boys have spoken about their own moments, and even me individually there are moments out there that I want to take back and go again.
“There are definitely elements to being out there this Saturday and hopefully being on the other side of it, but all we can do is focus on the process and what’s at stake and really play out those moments well and hopefully get the win.
“I’ll do anything I possibly I can for the team to help us win, whether that’s if I have to go back, if I have to go forward – I’ll do anything for the team.
“I look forward to whatever the challenge is.”
That “challenge” could be to nullify the midfield threat of star Sydney pair Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner or even pinch-hit in the ruck if necessary, as he was required to do occasionally in Brisbane’s epic 10-point weekend preliminary final win over Geelong after ruckman Oscar McInerney succumbed to a dislocated shoulder.
However, Dunkley was adamant that he and Lions would not just be reactive to situations but also take the game to the Swans, whom they beat in a Gabba thriller in July.
“We’re going to play our way too,” he promised.
“We’ll just look to play our game and hopefully take it up to them.”
The Lions trained in front of more than 2000 fans at an open session at Springfield on Tuesday, with co-captain Lachie Neale, who is continuing to manage a heel injury, making a fleeting appearance before heading back inside.
Ruckmen Darcy Fort and Henry Smith both trained as they continued to push to be named as the replacement for the ruled-out McInerney and have the task of going head-to-head with Swans big man Brodie Grundy.
“Brodie is a very well respected player in the competition and among our group as well,” Dunkley said.
“Whoever comes in, I’m sure they’re going to play well for us and give their best for the team, and hopefully that helps us come out on top.”
Originally published as Josh Dunkley to embrace ‘challenge’ of helping Brisbane Lions win Saturday’s AFL grand final
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