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.
โHeโs a little bit flat, but heโs a little bit better now than he was on Thursday night (after the move to Essendon fell through),โ Pickering said on SEN Drive and reported by Laurence Rosen.
โThatโs footy, you go through a trade period like this and the deal doesnโt happen โฆ he was hoping to make the move, but you canโt 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.
โHeโll force his way into the midfield,โ Pickering said.
โHeโs a terrific player, the move to Essendon wouldโve seen him get more midfield minutes there, but heโs going to have to play good footy as he knows and heโs prepared to do."
