Departing Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley wins club’s 2022 best and fairest

Josh Dunkley farewelled the Western Bulldogs in the perfect way after claiming the club’s highest honour.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says the Brisbane Lions will have to “pony up” after Lions-bound midfielder Josh Dunkley walked out of the club on a high by taking out his first club best and fairest award on Wednesday night.

Dunkley, 25, showed the depth of his talent throughout 2022, playing every game, but powered home late, polling 52 votes in the final three rounds, which included a season-high 33 disposals against Fremantle in round 21, to hold out teammate Tom Liberatore to win the Charles Sutton Medal.

Power forward Aaron Naughton, who kicked a career-high 51 goals, came third, with captain Marcus Bontempelli fourth.

Dunkley adds the best and fairest award to the premiership medallion he won with the Bulldogs in 2016, having played 116 games since his debut that AFL season, with his 584 disposals in 2022 second only to the 651 he racked up in 2019.

Despite Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge declaring the club was “desperate” for Dunkley to stay following the club’s elimination final loss to Fremantle, the midfielder officially nominated the Lions as his preferred 2023 destination two years after being denied a move to Essendon.

Top 3.

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Great season, fellas. pic.twitter.com/s1RWiyUthV

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) September 28, 2022

“He’s a real diamond that we discovered and pinched from under Sydney’s nose all those

In his speech on the night, Beveridge declared it was “deflating” when Dunkley confirmed to the coach he was leaving, describing him as the “glue” in their team.

Beveridge said the Lions would need to come up with some solid money now Dunkley was a club champion.

“We’ve had a couple of conversations since and the most deflating one was when he called me to let me know what the decision was,” Beveridge said.

“It’s a real shame. I describe Josh as the glue in our team. He does all the hard team things unconditionally and we’re going to need more of that from his former teammates next year.

years ago.

“It’s difficult to come up and match market value when you’ve got to spread the financial load across your whole group. That’s part of it, but Josh has also made a life decision on where he sees his future and where he’s going to live and what it means to him at this point in time, and we respect that.

“The obvious thing is that the Lions are going to have to pony up. Sammy (Power) is going to go to work on that over the next week or two.”

Josh Dunkley (right) will be leaving his great mate Adam Treloar. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Port Adelaide also threw a monster offer at Dunkley, and in choosing to leave for Brisbane, he said there was “no bad blood” with the Bulldogs but he had made a lifestyle decision.

“This year has been the best year out of all of them. It was a good step in the right direction after the grand final, so there is no bad blood,” Dunkley said.

“Bevo was really good to speak to on the phone. We have had a great relationship from day one and before I was drafted he spoke to me about how much I can be a role model and leader, so Bevo has been great for me and he’s like a father figure.

“I said to Bevo it was more of a lifestyle choice. He backed it in and said he completely understands the long-term deal was appealing.”

Rookie sensation Sam Darcy was named best first-year player, while livewire forward Cody Weightman, who played out the round 14 games against GWS despite dislocating his elbow, was named the most courageous player.

Charles Sutton Medal – Top 10

1st place: Josh Dunkley - 231 votes

2nd:Tom Liberatore - 211 votes

3rd: Aaron Naughton - 180 votes

4th: Marcus Bontempelli - 174 votes

5th: Jackson Macrae – 170 votes

6th: Caleb Daniel – 158 votes

7th: Ryan Gardner – 151 votes

8th: Adam Treloar – 150 votes

9th: Bailey Dale – 146 votes

10th: Ed Richards – 144 votes

Originally published as Departing Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley wins club’s 2022 best and fairest