Bulldog Josh Dunkley keen to become a Lion

Star Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley is set to walk out on the club to link-up with Brisbane.

Dunkley’s future has been up in the air since the Bulldogs crashed out to Fremantle in the first week of the AFL finals.

The 25-year-old’s bid to join Essendon last year fell through, but he is now out of contract and keen to join the Lions for what’s reported to be a six-year deal.

It’s believed the Bulldogs had offered Dunkley a five-year extension in a bid to keep him.

Port Adelaide were also in the hunt to secure Dunkley’s services.

Dunkley’s partner, Tippah Dwan, plays professional netball for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in what loomed as a potential advantage for the Power.

Brisbane will now need to weave some magic on the trade front in order to satisfy the Bulldogs.

Complicating matters is the fact Brisbane are committed to taking star father-son prospect Will Ashcroft.

Ashcroft, son of three-time Brisbane premiership player Marcus, is regarded as the standout player in this year’s trade pool, meaning the Lions are highly likely to need to match a bid at No.1.

It means the Lions, who currently hold pick No.15, might need to offer future draft picks to snare Dunkley, or go into a significant draft points deficit.

Dunkley averaged 25.4 possessions and 4.4 clearances per game this season, and his arrival at Brisbane will add further potency to a midfield already featuring Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale, Jarrod Berry and Zac Bailey.