Brisbane star Josh Dunkley has opened up on the brutal reality grand finals can have on those involved, labelling the event either “the best day of your life, or the worst”.
Dunkley, who on Saturday will play in the fourth big dance of his career, has felt both jubilation and devastation on the last Saturday in September – winning a maiden premiership in his debut year, before falling just short in 2021 against Melbourne and for Brisbane last year in a four-point loss to Collingwood.
Now, having turned around a start to the season that begun with three straight losses – Chris Fagan’s Lions are ready to roar on the big stage, determined to make amends for their defeat 12 months ago.
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Speaking to Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Thursday night, Dunkley revealed that he has been a sounding board for many teammates at the Lions – with plenty of intrigue over his premiership at the Western Bulldogs eight years ago.
“It’s either the best day of your life, or the worst really – that’s as simple as it gets,” Dunkley admitted.
“Everyone’s asked me about 2016 and what the feeling was like then; I feel like belief is a big thing and our group certainly has that at the moment.
“Coming from behind in both our last couple of finals was very impressive, and the belief amongst the group’s just sky high at the moment. I thought we had that in 2016 … coming from a long way back early in the season when everyone wrote us off, and to get where we are now is obviously amazing.
“The belief is huge come Saturday.”
And it’s not just belief that’s present in the Brisbane camp this week.
Amid a week that could so easily become one full of stress and anxiousness, Dunkley noted that a noteworthy calmness has swept over the group this week – aided by the fact 17 of the 23 players playing on Saturday, also played in last year’s big dance.
“Personally I have felt that (calmness),” noted Dunkley.
“The experience of last year, definitely you carry that through this game and this week especially. Last year we only had a couple of us that played in Grand Finals, this year there’s (17 players) that have been part of a Grand Final … You’ve got to be peaking at the right time and I feel like our group is on that trend; especially the last few week.
“We’ll be peaking come Saturday.”
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The Lions have made just one changed from their win last Saturday evening over Geelong, with imposing ruck Oscar McInerney sadly ruled out with a dislocated shoulder from the preliminary final.
His replacement Darcy Fort will come in for just his third game of 2024 and 28th for the Lions, with his last game at the top level coming in Round 7 this year against GWS.
But despite not playing in the senior side since Anzac Day, Dunkley has “full trust” in the 31-year-old as the new ruck, certain he will do a “tremendous job”.
“He’s been chipping away in the reserves for such a long time and nearly best on round every week,” Dunkley added.
“It’s great he gets an opportunity; Oscar will be sorely missed, but I’m sure he’ll be involved still – we love having him around.
“I feel like there’s a hard-luck story and he’s ours this year, so hopefully we can do it for him.”
Dunkley will play his 51st game for Brisbane this Saturday, bringing an end to his second season at the club after six years at Whitten Oval.
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