A beaming Josh Dunkley says he’s living his dream, after arriving at the Western Bulldogs via the national draft less than two weeks ago.

Dunkley addressed the media for the first time as a professional footballer on Thursday, along with his fellow draftees Kieran Collins, Marcus Adams and Bailey Williams.

Ahead of the draft, there was a possibility Dunkley would end up at Sydney under the father-son rule, but it was the Bulldogs that secured the talented utility on draft night.

Despite the possibility of following in his father Andrew’s (217-game Sydney champion) footsteps, Dunkley said he was excited to be at the kennel.

“It was their (Sydney’s) decision at the end of the day and I couldn’t be happier to end up at the Bulldogs.

“It’s been really good so far, I’m loving every minute and it’s just been amazing to be here and on an AFL list and out there with the boys.”

Despite the Sydney connection, Dunkley grew up in Victoria and played TAC Cup football with the Gippsland Power and said he was pleased to stay in Victoria – close to family and friends.

“As a kid growing up your dream is to be an AFL footballer and it is good that I’ve stayed in Melbourne.

“But at the same time my goal was just to be on AFL list and I’ve achieved that and I’m happy being a Western Bulldogs player.

“Dad felt really good, the whole family did (about) staying in Victoria.

“It’s closer to home and easier for them to come and visit me every now and then so he was pretty happy.”

Dunkley says settling in has been eased with the amount of young players at the Club.

“That’s the biggest thing I’ve noticed coming to the Club, the young group it is and the leaders and how well-driven it is by the coaching staff.”