NEW Brisbane recruit Josh Dunkley has stirred up Western Bulldogs fans again after the Lions posted a sit-down interview with their boom recruit to the club’s website.<\/p>\n
Dunkley revealed the new training regime at the Lions was a bit of a shock to his system.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a great pre-season so far. The boys have come back really fit and are running really well,\u201d Dunkley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich has been a bit of a change-up for me too because we didn\u2019t really run a lot at the Dogs, as much as we do here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cynic in me ponders if that lack of running, according to Dunkley, at the Dogs hurt them in September.<\/p>\n
Was a lack of fitness the catalyst for the 43-point turnaround in 16 minutes of the 2021 grand final?<\/p>\n
Was it poor fitness that cost them in last year’s qualifying final against Fremantle, who came from 41 points down to win?<\/p>\n
The lack of fitness wasn’t the only crack Dunkley took at his former club.<\/p>\n
You had to be paying close attention to notice this comment about the quality of the Bulldogs and Lions midfields.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously coming from a place that has got some good midfielders and to another place that\u2019s got even better midfielders, I mean you touched on Lachie Neale and how good he has been in the past and how good he is going to be in the future\u2026 to work alongside them has been good and we really drive those standards,\u201d Dunkley said.<\/p>\n
Who does have the better midfield?<\/p>\n
The Dogs? English, Bontempelli, Liberatore, Smith, Macrae, Treloar.<\/p>\n
Or the Lions? McInerney, Neale, McCluggage, Dunkley, Lyons, Robertson, Berry.<\/p>\n
Dunkley is probably right; it’s Brisbane, but not by much.<\/p>\n
Upon reading the criticism of his interview from a Bulldogs supporter, Dunkley responded on twitter.<\/p>\n
\u201cGenuinely is now pathetic that every interview this guy has done since leaving he has taken a clip at the dogs. Gave him absolutely everything and he was a part of a premiership and this is how he goes about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSee you round 3, Dunks,\u201d said twitter user @g___812.<\/p>\n
Dunkley responded, \u201cThis has been taken way out of context, I genuinely have no problems at all with the club. However if that\u2019s how you want to try and rev up round 3, then go ahead. All I\u2019m looking forward to, is playing against my old teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n
I don’t fully believe him when he says he has no issues with his former club. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have tried so desperately to leave twice.<\/p>\n
His old coach Luke Beveridge said Dunkley left only for money.<\/p>\n
I’m not sure that’s entirely accurate, either.<\/p>\n
Wherever the truth lies, it makes for a fascinating match-up between the two clubs, so put round three, Thursday, 30 March, in your diary. It’s going to be on.<\/p>\n