JOSH Dunkley has encountered few of the usual first-year problems since being drafted to the Western Bulldogs back in November.
A solid pre-season was rewarded with a round one debut against Fremantle, and the midfielder has impressed with his ability to adapt quickly to the Dogs' 'fast footy' style.
The thrill of finding himself in the AFL's buzz side and playing ahead of more experienced teammates isn't lost on the well-spoken 19-year-old.
"We've got a very deep group, so to find myself ahead of a few boys, it makes me feel good and my confidence levels have gone up because of that," Dunkley told AFL.com.au.
"When we started playing a few (NAB Challenge) games and match simulation at training, I started to get a bit of the ball and then to find myself in the team for round one, it was very special for my family and I.
"It is very exciting when you're out there and the pressure is on."
Pressure is something Dunkley has become accustomed to at such a young age, being a son of former Sydney Swan Andrew Dunkley.
Expectation to perform can be a heavy burden to shoulder, and with the new father-son bidding system, savvy decision-making was required before he even got to the AFL.
After nominating the Swans as his preferred destination under the father-son rule, his father's old club declined to match the Bulldogs' bid of pick No.25 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, much to the Dogs' joy.
While Dunkley snr is "happy and proud" his son lobbed at Whitten Oval, he believes the pressure placed on a teenager and his family by the bidding system is unfair.
"The process is a bit over the top because we have to remember they're only kids," Andrew Dunkley told AFL.com.au.
"To go through the whole process was a bit awkward, but it's worked out beautifully because the Bulldogs are an excellent club to be involved in.
Josh is enjoying himself; he's very happy and deserves everything he gets because he's worked so hard.
"And the beauty of him remaining in Victoria is we can watch him most weeks."
Andrew Dunkley was a star defender for the Swans. Picture: AFL Media
With Josh preparing for the biggest game of his life against reigning premier Hawthorn on Sunday, he's struggled to get his old man to relinquish allegiance to the club he played 217 games with, and jump on a growing Bulldogs' bandwagon.
"He's probably got a soft spot for the Dogs now and there's been a fair bit of talk around the club that I have to convert him," Josh said.
"I think Dad may have had a few goose bumps when I ran out for my first game."
But Andrew is standing firm for the moment, insisting a defection is "a little while off."
"It was hard at first to get my head around the red, white and blue," Andrew said.
"Josh bought a Bulldogs cap home for me and I tried it on, but I haven’t worn it, yet."
