Timely call from Lachie Neale a relief for new Brisbane Lions midfielder Josh Dunkley

Josh Dunkley was a relieved man when his move from the Western Bulldogs to the Brisbane Lions was finally completed.

Josh Dunkley is celebrating his move to Brisbane. Picture: Will Russell / AFL Photos via Getty Images

The comforting words of Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale helped ease any doubts a “nervous” Josh Dunkley had about the completion of his desired 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 winner.

“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’s list manager) and the Lions’ team to get the deal done.

“Everyone was probably frustrated (on) both sides … but it’s 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.”

Fresh kit 🦁 pic.twitter.com/SenlW9gGRE

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) October 13, 2022

Dunkley revealed that Neale – whose move to Brisbane from Fremantle ahead of the 2019 AFL season also took time to finalise – had called 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 role 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 me already, so I really appreciate all his support and I’ll support him no matter what, too.”

The Lions traded their round two 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.