BEING thrown the challenge of opposing the AFL's best midfielders is the opportunity Josh Dunkley was craving.

While he won a premiership medal as a forward in his debut season of 2016, the 21-year-old has been a midfielder for as long as he can remember, and since halfway through the season, he's had the chance to live out a childhood dream.

He hasn't been eased into the role following a month in the VFL mid-season, with daunting assignments on Brownlow medal fancies Shaun Higgins, Joel Selwood and Tom Mitchell complemented with an average of 26 disposals per game since round 14.

Dunkley also sits 15th in the AFL for tackles per game and 16th for tackles inside forward 50.

"I've always dreamt of being one of those midfielders," Dunkley told AFL.com.au.

"I've had run-with roles on Shaun Higgins and Joel Selwood, and with Tom Mitchell, which was a one-on-one role.

"It's a great experience because you're playing against some of the best players in the competition. They take you to the footy and I've been able to work off them.

"The last two weeks against Port Adelaide and St Kilda were good too, and the coaches have put my name up in lights, so it's been nice."

Luke Beveridge was effusive in his praise after Dunkley collected a career-high 33 disposals in the Dogs' win over St Kilda last Saturday, with the coach excited with the rapid evolution of the Sale product's game.

"Every now and then a player steps up really quickly, but his game has reached new heights really, really quickly," Beveridge said.

"He's had a couple of roles on the opposition's key players in the previous month and he's really blossomed from there.

"On the weekend he played more of a freer midfield role, and it wasn't just what he accumulated and did with the ball, but his defensive action was benchmark stuff.

"He really set a great example there."

Dunkley hasn't fallen far from the tree when it comes to his ball drop, with his father Andrew – a 217-game defender with Sydney – also possessing an awkward action, but the third-year Bulldog has worked hard to improve his kicking.

"I've done a lot of work with (development manager) Rohan Smith, and when I did my shoulder last year, kicking was a big focus for me," Dunkley said.

"It's being able to control kicks, allowing for different weights and distances. So, still a work in progress, but so is every other skill of mine."

It's been a season of challenges for Dunkley, whether it be taking on midfield maestros or fighting to regain his place in the senior side, but arguably his toughest test has been the game's most combative.

And after his eye-catching finish to the season, there won't be too many opponents who don't know who the blossoming Bulldog is.

"I've found myself in the ruck against Jarrod Witts, Stefan Martin and Callum Sinclair, but when you're out there you're not scared, you just have to take the role head on," the 190cm Dunkley said.

"I just tried to go up against them as hard as I could, but it's good for the team because we have extra midfielder at the stoppage.

"They probably look at me and think 'who is this little kid?'"