Josh Dunkley landed back in Melbourne on Friday afternoon after 10 days on the Sunshine Coast with a few new experiences under his belt, and a heightened appreciation for a few of his new teammates.
Dunkley arrived at the Club last November via the 2015 NAB AFL Draft after the Swans elected not to match the Dogs bid for the powerful midfielder and potential father-son prospect.
Now thanks to the trip up north, he is feeling right at home in his new colours.
“The Sunshine Coast was very good,” Dunkley said.
“It was very hot up there, very humid. Our hottest day up there felt like 40 degrees and 90% humidity, but it was good to get around the boys and get to know a few more players, and bond with the coaches because you’re there 24/7 with them, so it was really good.”
There’s perhaps no better person to guide any young Dog at the early stage of their career than skipper Bob Murphy, who Dunkley not only roomed with, but cooked for one night as well.
“I roomed with Bob and Josh Prudden, two guys of different age levels so you’re getting that full experience.
“You get to see everyone every day, and spend time with them, so it’s been good to bond with the boys.”
“(Murph) was pretty good, I cooked for him one night and helped him out, hopefully I made a good impression.”
What the skipper thought of Dunkley’s culinary skills we may never know, but what we do know is that on the track, it’s been Mitch Wallis and in particular, Marcus Bontempelli, that has impressed the 18 year old Gippsland Power product.
“I’ve had a lot to do with Mitch Wallis and Marcus Bontempelli, they’re probably the two that have stood out to me, he said.
“Bonty had been in the rehab group, so just to see the work he does behind the scenes, when no one is watching, and Wal’ I’ve been training with since I got here.
“He’s a real superstar the way he goes about it, he’s sort of taken me under his wing a bit and helped me train.”
With the Christmas break well and truly in the rear-view mirror and now the Queensland training camp behind them as well, it’s the upcoming NAB Challenge that’s dominating talk around the locker room, the boys understandably keen to get their hands on a Sherrin under match conditions after a long preseason.
For Dunkley, it’s the first opportunity to begin what he hopes will be a long career at the Club and a chance to play alongside players he has begun to look up to since he arrived at Whitten Oval almost three months ago.
“I’m looking forward to playing with them, I just have to put my best foot forward and hopefully get a game," he said.
“Getting through Mooloolaba, you come back and it’s only 17 or 18 days until NAB Cup, and with the Family Day this weekend, it’s a boost to the energy and enthusiasm of the group.”
