Off-contract Bulldogs gun Josh Dunkley has revealed contract talks with the club have begun, while stating he's "not really in any rush" to have a new deal sorted prior to the season.
Dunkley was a headlining figure of the 2020 off-season, having requested a trade to Essendon before negotiations between the Dogs and Bombers fell through.
Despite a trade coming to no avail, Dunkley was satisfied to be staying at Whitten Oval until the end of his contract, which expires this year.
The 25-year-old has since grown a strong bond with fellow midfielder Adam Treloar, who unlike Dunkley found himself in new colours ahead of last year.
The attention has now been placed back on Dunkley this year, with the Sydney-born Bulldog needing to assess his future with a new deal needed for 2023 and beyond.
The 93-gamer isn't looking to cement his future soon though, with playing his best football a focal point in his focus for this season.
"I'm not really in any rush at the moment, we're obviously in talks," Dunkley told SEN this week.
Midfielder
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"But I just want to play footy, I want to get the season started and see how it goes.
"It's obviously a talking point but to be honest I don't really think about it too much.
"I'm just out there enjoying the moment, enjoying the boys and the footy club, just trying to put my best foot forward for the team.
"We've just got to wait and see how the season plays out, and we'll get those talks going."
Dunkley is among a bevy of Bulldogs stars currently yet to recommit to the club past the end of this year, with Jack Macrae, Bailey Smith, Caleb Daniel, Bailey Dale and Tim English among those currently out of contract.
English is reportedly set to hold off on contract discussions for the time being, with West Coast seen as a potentially interested suitor in the Western Australian ruckman.
The Bulldogs are set to prioritise their top bracket of free agents throughout the course of this season, with list manager Sam Power recently looking to reassure members.
“There are some good players coming out of contract, but it’s not uncommon across the competition for a lot of players to be coming out in any given year and we’re no different to that,” he said.
“I think from a club perspective, it allows clubs to maintain flexibility. It also helps from a salary cap management point of view.
“In terms of our guys, there are clearly six or seven priorities and we want to retain every single one.”
It's unknown whether the Bombers will rekindle their interest in Dunkley this year, having locked away breakout onballers Zach Merrett and Darcy Parish to new deals in 2021.
Dunkley was a standout in Wednesday's pre-season defeat to the Bombers, finding plenty of the footy between midfield and half-back.
The Bulldogs will host Brisbane at Marvel Stadium next Friday before their Round 1 clash with the Demons at the MCG on Wednesday, March 16.
