Season in short
A premiership medal and a Rising Star nomination in seventeen games of football.
A player’s first season doesn’t usually follow that script, but for Josh Dunkley that’s exactly what happened.
Dunkley began his season playing predominantly a wing/half forward role before moving into the middle late in the season, and was rewarded with a NAB Rising Star nomination for his 19 possession, four tackle performance in round 20.
At age 19, Dunkley was the youngest player in the Bulldogs premiership side having earned his place on the back of big performances in the semi final against Hawthorn (23 touches, six marks, six tackles, one goal) and the preliminary final against GWS (24 touches, nine tackles).
Averaged 17 possessions, five marks and six tackles across the season.
The stat that mattered
His 5.8 tackles per game was the second highest at the Club in 2017, just behind Clay Smith at 5.9.
What they said
“I [want] to just continue to develop [my game]. I’ve showed signs of good footy in different areas so [I’d like] to continue to take it to the next level I guess and establish myself as a good AFL footballer.
“So little things inside the stoppage like foot work and just being able to kick the footy a long way and connect inside 50.
“So I think there’s plenty of room for improvement.”
Gram of the year
You always remember your first jumper.
