Josh Dunkley holds no ill feeling towards Sydney for not drafting him as father-son, loves Bulldogs
JOSH Dunkley, son of Swans great Andrew, is too familiar with the inner workings of Sydney Football Club to expect warm and fuzzy text messages from north of the border this week.
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JOSH Dunkley is too familiar with the inner workings of Sydney Football Club to expect warm and fuzzy text messages from north of the border this week.
When hostilities cease after Saturday’s Grand Final, the temporary chill between the Western Bulldogs tyro and the Swans will inevitably thaw.
But, until at least 5pm on Saturday, there’ll be no dialogue.
The son of Swans hall of famer Andrew, Dunkley was a lifelong Sydney supporter until he was drafted by the Bulldogs last year.
Since debuting in Round 1, Dunkley has fielded several messages of encouragement from John Longmire, Nick Davis and Ted Richards.
The link stems from both his father’s celebrated career at Sydney and the time Dunkley junior has spent at the club.
“At first hand, I’ve seen what the players are capable of and how they are as people as well,” Dunkley, 19, said.
“I probably trained with them four or five times.
“Through the AFL Academy we could go up there and they’d obviously have to approve it and I’d go up and train with the main group.
“It was a good experience for me and I got to talk to all the coaches and stuff.
“So’ve I still got that connection with them now. They send me texts every now again, they wish me luck for the year and that sort of thing.
“John Longmire and Nick Davis, he’s a bit of a character as well, they’ve sent texts.
“Horse’ texted me when I won the Rising Star (nomination), Teddy Richards is another player who texted me as well, so I’ve got a few connections up there, which is nice. I suppose the whole footy world is in touch. There’s that connection.”
Dunkley’s Sydney bond started from birth and strengthened throughout his father’s 217-match career with the Swans.
“I’m happy. I don’t have any grudge against the Swans for not drafting me. It’s been incredible, I haven’t looked back since then."
- Josh Dunkley
Dunkley remembers being on the SCG when Sydney farewelled his father and Brownlow medallist Paul Kelly in 2002.
“That was pretty special,” he said.
“You’re supposed to run through the banner and stop but the mascot had to come and get me because I was still running with the boys.
“I reckon I was six or five. It was up in Sydney and it was against Richmond.”
Dunkley says Andrew’s influence has been profound.
“Yeah, for sure, him (his father) having been through this time of the year has probably helped me a lot,” he said.
“Not only him, Mum as well — so my off-field stuff has been pretty similar all the way through the year.
“I don’t remember a lot of his career. He gets the tapes out every now and then to show me stuff.
“Not clangers, just hangers — a few good marks.”
As strong as the Swans association is, Dunkley was instantly converted to the Bulldogs cause when Luke Beveridge called out his name at the AFL draft — after Sydney decided not to pursue him under the father-son rule.
“I was a Sydney supporter right until I got drafted, I guess,” he said.
“But ever since then I’ve been a Bulldogs player and a Bulldogs supporter.
“I’m happy. I don’t have any grudge against the Swans for not drafting me. It’s been incredible, I haven’t looked back since then.
“Being on an AFL list was a childhood dream that I’d always had, whether that was in Sydney to continue the family tradition or anywhere else, I would’ve been happy either way."
- Josh Dunkley
“Being on an AFL list was a childhood dream that I’d always had, whether that was in Sydney to continue the family tradition or anywhere else, I would’ve been happy either way.
“But I haven’t really looked back from the draft, where there was a bit of a mix up at the draft with ‘Bevo’ on the loud speaker.
“He got up and announced my name and then the whole system glitched or something.
“So then he went back and sat down and I thought ‘Yeah, this could be going either way’ and then I got the phone call from him and he was like ‘Yeah, it’s all good.’”
With just 16 games to his credit, Dunkley could crown a memorable rise with premiership glory — but not before overcoming a familiar and respected opponent.
“They’re a great team and they’ve been a great team for a long time,” Dunkley said of Sydney.
“On the weekend, I’ll treat it as though it’s the same as any other game against any other team and just play my role.
“It’s finals football, it’s a grand final. There’s nothing to lose and you can be as sore as you want afterwards really.
“There’s no next week.
“It will be a fierce contest and hopefully we can get over the line.”
And as for his parents’ loyalties?
“I reckon I’m slowly converting them. I reckon they’re 90 per cent Dogs now,” he said.
“Dad’s probably got a soft spot in his heart for the Swans but they’ll be barracking for us this weekend.”
Along with the most of the nation.
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