Dayne Zorko is confident the Brisbane Lions will come to an agreement with the Western Bulldogs over Josh Dunkley.
The Bulldogs are reportedly seeking two first-round selections for the midfielder with the Lions only willing to send their pick 21, plus a 2023 first-rounder, and only if they get picks 30 and 39 in return.
SEN’s Sam Edmund reported on Thursday that the deal is currently on “life support” and the Dogs could walk him to the pre-season draft if they don’t get what they want.
Brisbane also requires the appropriate draft points to match bids for Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher, which makes things complex, but Zorko is confident the Lions will get everything done, including bringing in Jack Gunston from Hawthorn.
“It does get complicated. I’m confident that we’ll get everyone over the line that we need, whether it happens this week or not,” Zorko said on SENQ Breakfast.
“The draft works on a point system. The more points you have, the higher you can bid up. We have Will Ashcroft on a father-son, he’s committed to the club and we want him.
“He’s a sensational player and so is Jaspa Fletcher, he is going to be a fantastic player as well. We want both of those players so we need as many points as we can possibly get.
“The Bulldogs want two first-rounders this year for Josh Dunkley. Josh is a fantastic player, he’s just won their best and fairest, I understand the price tag that comes with that.
“What the Bulldogs are saying is that they are prepared to let him walk to the pre-season draft which then enables any club to swoop in and pick him up.
“Ideally we’d love to get the deal done before 5 o’clock today, I would have thought, but I’m sure our recruiters have got things in the pipeline ready to go. They would have accounted for all these scenarios.
“I am confident that the powers that be at our club will get Josh Dunkley over the line, we’ll be able to secure Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher.
“And Jack Gunston as well, which I think with the Dan McStay compensation pick we should be able send something Hawthorn’s way for the Gunston deal.
“It always gets a bit messy like this. They do talk it up, there’s plenty of fireworks going everywhere, but ultimately at the end of the day both parties will be happy and the deal will get done.”
Dunkley, 25, claimed the Bulldogs’ best and fairest this season which further adds to the complex nature of the deal.
The Dogs are intent on ensuring they get back in return what Dunkley is worth and will not give him up easily to the Lions.