WESTERN Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains has suggested talks are positive regarding a new contract for Josh Dunkley.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to recommit to the club he first played for in 2016.<\/p>\n
Bains said negotiations between list manager Sam Power and the Dunkley camp are ongoing and is hopeful the premiership player will stay put in the red, white and blue.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been interviewed in recent weeks and been really positive on remaining at the club,\u201d he said on Sportsday<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the discussions Sam\u2019s been having with his management team have been really positive in that regard.<\/p>\n \u201cHe had a fantastic game [in his 100th against Essendon in round seven], he had the opportunity to catch up with a number of his family members after the game and they were really happy and positive as well.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope he recommits in due course.\u201d<\/p>\n Given Dunkley attempted to leave The Kennel in the 2020 trade period, what does he need to be sold on to remain with the club beyond 2022?<\/p>\n \u201cWith each of the guys that are out of contract there are probably a range of things that they\u2019re looking work through,\u201d Bains added.<\/p>\n \u201cNot saying it\u2019s necessarily the case with Josh, but whether it\u2018s financial, where they see themselves longer term in all aspects of their life.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a number of decisions that go into that. Whether it\u2019s Josh or any of the other current contract negotiations that Sam\u2019s having with our more prominent out-of-contract players, the bottom line is they are all keen to chat and are looking to stay.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just getting through the contract aspects of that which can take some time.\u201d<\/p>\n One key Dog whose contract is not an issue, but is currently taking time away from the club is Lachie Hunter.<\/p>\n The 27-year-old, who won the 2018 best and fairest, is on indefinite leave to deal with personal issues with a return date yet unknown.<\/p>\n However, Bains insists the club is providing the support required to have Hunter return to the fold once he is ready mentally.<\/p>\n \u201cLachie\u2019s continuing to improve which is the main thing,\u201d Bains said. \u201cFrom our club perspective, we are just hellbent on ensuring that he is well supported and in a good place.<\/p>\n \u201cIn terms of his return it will probably be a combination of him feeling healthy, positive and ready to come back, and the welfare arm of the club feeling the same.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s continuing to train away from the club and follow a program assiduously to ensure he maintains his physical fitness and wellbeing.<\/p>\n \u201cBut essentially his time away and what he\u2019s dealing with now is more the mental side. So it\u2019s being in a position where he and our medical and welfare staff feel that he is able to fully throw himself back into the environment that\u2019s required.<\/p>\n \u201cUltimately, we all want Lachie back and playing topflight football at AFL level, so everything\u2019s being geared towards that happening again.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n