AFL trade news: Bulldogs set demands for Dunkley

The Western Bulldogs have set their demands for wantaway midfielder Josh Dunkley, with the Bombers now requested to hand over two first-round selections for the 23-year-old.

The Bulldogs remained firm that their gun onballer was set to stay at the kennel for 2021 shortly after his request to be traded to Essendon, with the club's stance softening since as they set their trade demands for Dunkley.

According to SEN's Sam Edmund, the Bulldogs have set their price and are understood to be adamant in their request.

“For me this is now the most interesting trade in the works,” he said on AFL Trade Radio’s Trade Afternoons.

“Having spoken to both clubs at length over the last few days, it is hard to see how Josh Dunkley can get to Essendon if both sides live up to what they’re saying.

“Essendon has been offering them pick eight and the Dogs aren’t having any of that one iota, they simply do not want to lose him.

“The market value is what the Dogs say it is because they don’t want to lose him and it’s not posturing – the market value is what they say it is.

“The club is aligned from the board all the way down, in that regardless of what happens that if you don’t get what they want, Josh Dunkley will be staying at the Western Bulldogs. And that is two first-round draft picks.

“That will get them into the conversation, two high first-round draft picks this year or one this year and a future first.

“That’s what the Dogs want and they don’t want to lose him and they can’t see Dunkley kicking up a stink, they’re in regular contact with him and they know he’s not going to be one to force the issue.”

Dunkley is contracted with the Bulldogs until the end of the 2022 season and is believed to be left frustrated at Whitten Oval.