Dunkley ponders future

Bombers make 5- year offer

JOSH Dunkley’s diminishing onball time including an elimination final playing only 30 per cent in the midfield this year is a key aspect of his dalliance with Essendon.

Western Bulldogs mid- forward Dunkley has been in Noosa considering his future, with the Dogs emphatic they will not trade him under any circumstances.

Chief executive Ameet Bains has made clear the Dogs will hold Dunkley to his contract, even if he officially declares he wants a trade.

Over the entire season Dunkley played 14 per cent on the wing, 43 per cent in the midfield and 43 per cent as a small forward.

But in the final he played 70 per cent forward and attended only five centre- bounces in a 13- possession, one- goal game.

Dunkley was in the AllAustralian 40 and was vicecaptain of the AFLPA Under22 side last year but missed the top 10 in the club’s best- andfairest this year after playing 12 games because of injury.

He also recorded hit- outs in seven of his dozen games as coach Luke Beveridge often played him as a ruckman while Tim English pushed forward.

Those kind of tactical tweaks are why Beveridge is renowned as a quality matchday coach but not all players want to be pushed from the midfield when their form there is so strong.

Dunkley is still rated elite for disposals, contested possessions, scoreboard impact and pressure but averaged only 18 possessions this year, down from 28 last year.

His brother Kyle could be part of a package at Essendon after being delisted by the Demons, who took him last year as a mid- season draft selection.

A five- season offer at Essendon has given him much to consider as the trade period approaches next Wednesday.

If he did officially ask for a trade the Dogs would need to consider the ramifications of holding him against his contract and what it did for player morale.

Essendon on Monday confirmed 2020 AFLCA assistant coach of the year Daniel Giansiracusa will move from the Dogs to the Bombers.

It is a coup for the club that is determined to give coach Ben Rutten considerable support after his teething issues of the 2019 season.

Blake Caracella, James Kelly, Dan Jordan, Leigh Tudor and Cameron Roberts join him on the panel.