It’s almost unfair that Lions star Josh Dunkley’s 200th AFL appearance on Sunday could be overshadowed by Brisbane talisman Lachie Neale’s 300th game in the same clash.
However, it’s also perhaps in keeping with Dunkley having flown under the radar for most of his career despite him being among the competition’s most valuable and successful players.
The 29-year-old midfielder has won three top-flight premierships across two different clubs and appeared in five grand finals.
Despite such success, Dunkley’s unselfishness and willingness to do the “dirty work” to allow his teammates to grab the limelight has too often led to him not receiving the accolades he deserves.
However, the former Western Bulldog’s contribution to Brisbane’s cause can’t be denied, with his fellow Lions in awe of his weekly performances.
So admired is Dunkley that Neale regards the Lions co-captain as his “favourite teammate he’s ever played with”.
“Just some of his defensive efforts, the blocks, all the little things that he does … he’s done it for a long time, and he’s made me a better player, he’s made Hugh McCluggage a better player … he just sort of completes our midfield,” Neale said of his fellow onballer ahead of Brisbane’s weekend clash against Melbourne at the MCG.
“It’s no surprise that since he’s come (to the Lions) we’ve played in three grand finals in a row, and hopefully push for another one this year.
“He just tries to make his teammates the best player on the ground, and that’s a really special trait for someone that could go and get 35 (disposals) himself and kick a couple of goals.
“He wants me, Will (Ashcroft) and ‘Hughie’ to do that, and he’s happy to do all the dirty work. Just some of his hard chases, his efforts to just get a fingernail in, I’ve never seen anything like it in a teammate.”
Rather than bask in the glory of being held in such a high regard, the humble Dunkley preferred to lavish praise on dual Brownlow medallist Neale.
“I know I’m 200 (games) but 300 is huge, so just to be a part of that history, and knowing the player he has been and is going to be in the future, is pretty special,” Dunkley said.
“From afar you see the absolute professional that he is, and you don’t understand how much he goes to work on his game until you see it up front.
“He’s taught me a lot. I hope I’ve been able to share some stuff with him too, but it’s been nice to be able to build that relationship, and now be close mates and having a milestone together.”
Dunkley’s elevation to the Lions co-captaincy this year came after Neale made the decision to stand down from his role as one of Brisbane’s skippers.
“He probably hasn’t changed too much, and that’s the reason why he was voted in as a captain,” Neale said of Dunkley.
“He didn’t have to change a hell of a lot … but probably one thing is his pre-game speeches have gotten a little bit better the last few weeks. He’s worked really hard on them, (but) what he brings is through his actions.
“I feel like I probably led in a similar way with the way I went about it at training and game day … and he’s very similar.
“We’re very lucky to have him as a captain.”
Dunkley said he was continuing to “learn and develop” as a skipper.
“Early on, I was probably a little bit out of my depth, but I’ve learnt over the last couple of weeks what it takes and what you’ve got to look at to keep your own game up to scratch and then look after the other boys as well,” he said.
“It’s been a good challenge and something that I’ve enjoyed.”
