Knowing from experience what it takes to win an AFL premiership from outside the top four, Brisbane star Josh Dunkley has urged his Lions teammates to “believe” and “enjoy the ride” in trying clinch the flag from the bottom half of the top eight.
Dunkley was part of a Western Bulldogs team that in 2016 became the first, and still the only, side to claim the premiership walking a tightrope that required them to win four successive sudden-death finals games.
“Looking back, it was all about belief,” the 27-year-old midfielder said ahead of Brisbane’s elimination final against Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday night.
“`Bevo’ (Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge) asked us ‘do you believe you can do it because our best footy is capable of winning the premiership’.
“It’s similar story to what we’ve had this year. Our best footy this year, we rate is as one of the best in the competition.
“Being able to believe in that brand and enjoy the ride is what 2016 was like, and I feel like that’s what we’re like at the moment.
“The boys know our best footy is good enough, and all you’ve got to do now is just believe and action it on game day.”
Dunkley also said the Lions had the advantage of playing an elimination final at home after placing fifth on the ladder. The Bulldogs finished seventh in 2016.
“To have a home final is incredible,” said Dunkley, who was adamant that “any team” in the top eight could win the premiership this season.
“This year more than any other year it’s pretty much who rocks up on the day. It’s getting your mental space, getting your physical body right, and then it’s whoever turns up on the day.
“If anyone is a little bit off, the other team will win. It’s just crazy the way it’s panned out.”
The Lions, last year’s beaten grand finalists, won nine games in a row in the second half of this season to secure a sixth successive finals berth after a poor start to their 2024 campaign.
“I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason, and early in the season we were challenged a lot both on field and off, and we learnt from that,” Dunkley said.
“Being able to learn from all those experiences makes us a better team now than what we were last year. We’re in a really good headspace at the moment.”
In his second season with Brisbane, Dunkley has again been immense despite too often not getting enough credit – from those outside the club – for his work on the field.
“I don’t really mind,” he said.
“I’m here to help make my teammates better, and I’m not a big one to want my name up in lights throughout the week.
“I love being at the club every day helping guys out, making them better because that helps me get better too.
“I’m enjoying my footy more than I ever have. I love being part of the Lions footy club, and the way they’ve treated me since I first rocked up has been incredible.
“I love where we’re heading.”
