Josh Dunkley’s deja vu has not relented because the Brisbane Lions midfielder backed his aspect to beat the lack of ruckman Oscar McInerney and “experience the wave house”.
The Lions, fifth after the common season, have overcome steep deficits in semi and preliminary finals to fulfill minor premiers Sydney in Saturday’s AFL grand remaining.
Dunkley, the one Lions participant boasting a premiership, was a part of the Western Bulldogs’ group that got here from seventh to win the flag in 2016.
His Bulldogs virtually did it once more in 2021, coming from fifth solely to be thumped in a Perth grand remaining by Melbourne.
And he performed in a 3rd decider final 12 months, Collingwood beating the Lions by 4 factors in an MCG thriller.
The 27-year-old has taken knowledge from that trio of experiences however naturally gravitated again to 2016.
“It is both the most effective day of your life, or the worst,” he stated earlier than the group’s remaining Brisbane session on Tuesday.
“You dare to dream and I get goosebumps … it looks like quite a lot of similarities (to 2016) however everyone knows you have to go and do your job.
“The Swans have been the most effective group all 12 months; will probably be an enormous problem however … we’re on a little bit of wave in the meanwhile, using it and hopefully we will experience all of it the best way house.”
Darcy Fort appears to be like the person more likely to substitute McInerney (shoulder) on Saturday, the in-form ruckman and fellow contender Henry Smith each coaching with the group on Tuesday.
The project is the containment of Swans ruckman Brodie Grundy, who might dominate the stoppages if given the possibility.
“It is a large out for us however he is been an enormous supporter of us and there is a arduous luck story yearly,” Dunkley stated of McInerney, who bravely performed on after dislocating his shoulder in opposition to Geelong on Saturday.
“The largest factor for me, on grand remaining day with 23 gamers contributing it may be a really arduous group to beat and that is what we had in 2016.
“I will do something I probably can for the group to assist us win.
“I look ahead to no matter problem it’s, however we’ll play our approach too and … hopefully take it as much as them.”
Near 3000 followers made the journey to the Lions’ Brighton Houses Enviornment base, about 40km out of central Brisbane, for Tuesday’s open session.
The group will fly to Melbourne on Wednesday, a day sooner than final 12 months, and prepare twice earlier than Saturday’s recreation.
“Did really feel a little bit bit rushed, so we have labored it out from expertise and it will assist us get settled in, two runs there and embrace grand remaining week and what it means,” Dunkley stated.
AAP