Josh Dunkley is a "little bit flat" after his trade request to Essendon failed.
Dunkley requested a move to the Bombers, but the deal broke down when the Bombers refused to offer two first-round draft picks.
Dunkley's manager Liam Pickering said his client understood the nature of footy but is still disappointed the deal didn't go through.
“He’s a little bit flat, but he’s a little bit better now than he was on Thursday night (after the move to Essendon fell through),” Pickering said on SEN Drive and reported by Laurence Rosen.
“That’s footy, you go through a trade period like this and the deal doesn’t happen … he was hoping to make the move, but you can’t always get what you want in footy.
The Bulldogs were able to retain Dunkley while bringing in Adam Treloar from Collingwood to form a formidable abundance of midfield talent.
Dunkley found it hard to break into the Bulldogs midfield in 2020, but Pickering believes his client has what it takes to break into the midfield group despite the acquisition of Treloar.
“He’ll force his way into the midfield,” Pickering said.
“He’s a terrific player, the move to Essendon would’ve seen him get more midfield minutes there, but he’s going to have to play good footy as he knows and he’s prepared to do."
