Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli has responded to coach Luke Beveridge publicly saying Josh Dunkley is currently down on form, saying the side generally were “well down” across the board during their scratch match loss to Hawthorn last week.
Dunkley requested a trade to Essendon at the end of last season, but the deal fell through as the Bombers refused to part ways with two first round draft picks for the contracted gun midfielder.
On the back of Beveridge’s interview on SEN Breakfast on Wednesday morning, Bontempelli said everyone in the side’s midfield were edgy as a result of the increased depth largely boosted by the surprise last-minute signing of Adam Treloar during last year's trade period.
“I don’t think so,” Bontempelli said on Sportsday when asked whether Treloar’s recruitment was linked to Dunkley’s slow start to 2021.
“I wouldn’t read into it too much (into Beveridge’s comments), obviously (Adam) Treloar is coming back from some calf soreness so he’s still building back into full fitness which we’re all hoping and are pretty confident he’ll be right for the first game (in Round 1).
“We were well down across the board in our scratch match against Hawthorn from a midfield perspective; we really didn’t play the game consistency enough from start to the finish.
“It was our first proper hit out for a while, but I think a few of us including myself would have walked away from that down on form.
“The thing about Josh (Dunkley) is regardless of what happened, his attitude and ability to be himself and take everything in his stride – he’s come back (to the club after the failed trade request) in the right way and you couldn’t question him.
“He’ll continue to perservere and work through to be better, as we all do as footballers. The depth that we have, I think everyone would be edgy about their spot in the team, we need that natural competitiveness to be there.”
Western Bulldogs have one final clash against Melbourne next Monday before their blockbuster season-opening clash against Collingwood at the MCG on March 19.