The Western Bulldogs are believed to be infuriated by reports suggesting star midfielder Josh Dunkley's reported decision to leave the Kennel stems from cultural issues within the club.
Dunkley is contracted to the Bulldogs for the next two year, but is believed to have told the club of his desire to leave Whitten Oval in favour of a move to Essendon this off-season.
According to SEN's Sam Edmund, the Bulldogs are understood to be angered by reports surrounding the 23-year-old.
“I’ve spoken to the Dogs on Josh Dunkley and they are furious,” Edmund said on SEN Breakfast.
“They are furious with a report a couple of days ago that said that Josh’s main motivation to leave Whitten Oval was because of long-standing culture issues that have been left to fester for years – the Dogs have rubbished that completely.
“The facts are that Josh Dunkley wasn’t happy with the Lachie Hunter indiscretion earlier this year and no one at the club was obviously, but he was also disappointed at different things in hub life this year and some of the standards that came to be.
“But that was widespread in the competition, in that the footy professionalism wasn’t where it would normally be.
“If Dunkley has an issue with one or two players that aren’t as professional as they need to be, it shouldn't be assumed that he feels there's long-standing cultural issues that have been going on for years.
"Dunkley isn’t considering leaving for cultural reasons - the reasons he is because he’s been sold the massive midfield dream. He’ll be the big banana in there.
"The lure of that, plus a big contract that conservatively speaking is worth $700,000 a season.
"And also the lure of playing with his brother Kyle is unbelievable. They are very close – the whole family is.
"He is still torn. He has days he leans to Essendon and days he leans to staying."
