AS she enters her fourth Suncorp Super Netball season as a Queensland Firebird, the arrival of her two brothers to the Sunshine State has her excited for the year ahead.
Dunkley made the move from the Melbourne Vixens in 2020 to the Firebirds, quickly establishing herself as a fans’ favourite in Purple and cementing herself as a regular starter in the SSN.
Her success however came during COVID-19 affected campaigns, which involved long stints without seeing her AFL-playing brothers Kyle and Josh and parents Andrew and Lisa in country Victoria.
The situation couldn’t be more different in 2023 however with Kyle and Josh both joining Lara in Queensland after signing with the Brisbane Lions – an outcome she couldn’t be happier with.
“It's amazing to have them here and they're now not a two and a half hour flight away, they're literally like a two minute drive,” Dunkley said.
“I'm really fortunate to have them here and I can't wait to experience our seasons alongside each other.
“Just having the support of family, you can never take that for granted. It's something I've definitely missed.
“I'm just excited to have them here.”
While it’s a boost to have family so close, Dunkley’s decision to take a chance for her career in 2020 and move to Queensland has never been one she’s regretted.
The 27-year-old has not only become an on-court regular for the Firebirds, she was elevated named vice-captain for the 2022 season – a position she has retained under new Head Coach Bec Bulley in 2023.
“To take the risk to come up here as a replacement player and then have COVID hit us, it was just a whirlwind, but I think it was that time in COVID that I really just valued my position up here in Queensland and I just thought 'whatever happens, we're all living in the unknown, you've just got to take everything with both hands and give it your best shot',” Dunkley said.
“In that time that COVID was full-on I was training in Melbourne with my family and my brothers and by the time I came back, I was just ready to go and I was just really fortunate that they had 12 players then for the season and I got the opportunity to be on court more regularly than I thought.
“To then be offered a full-time contract after that I was stoked.
“You do look back and you're like, 'wow, I've come so far' but I feel like there's still so much to come and I'm excited for what's next.
“I love it up here. I feel like this is my life now - Queensland - which is crazy to think that I'm leaving Victoria behind but I just love the people, I love the lifestyle and I just feel at home.”
THE BIRDIES ARE BACK! Tickets are now on sale via Ticketek for the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball season. Don’t miss a minute of the action and secure your seat now.
