NEW BRISBANE midfielder Josh Dunkley says a call from Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale calmed his nerves late in the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period as he waited for a deal from the Western Bulldogs to be complete.

Dunkley's proposed move was predicted to be one of the toughest of the period and it did not disappoint, going down to the final 15 minutes before the two clubs completed it.

Speaking on Thursday afternoon for the first time in Lions colours, Dunkley said Neale – who was traded from Fremantle to Brisbane four years ago – was a calming voice.

"Lachie rang me a couple of days before the Trade Period was over and reassured me that his deal was pretty similar, and the way it all transpired for him, so to give me that confidence was pretty special from someone that had been through it all before and someone of his calibre that's now my teammate," Dunkley said.

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"A special moment for me."

The 25-year-old admitted he was nervous as the clock ticked on deadline night, but said his father Andrew, who played 217 games for Sydney, was even more nervous.

Dunkley said he understood why the negotiations took so long and that it was frustrating for all parties, including his manager Liam Pickering.

"He was obviously a little bit frustrated, and I think everyone was frustrated, both sides, in the end, but it is what happens in trade period.

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"Both clubs have got to try and get a win out of the situation and that was always going to happen. At the end of the day the deal's done, we're both happy camps.

"I'm very excited."

Fresh off a best-and-fairest season for the Bulldogs, Dunkley said his move north was partly lifestyle and partly football.

His sister Lara plays netball for the Queensland Firebirds and his partner Tippah is also from Queensland.

"The Lions as a football club I've admired from afar and the list they've built and the exciting group they've got I think is bound for success," he said.

"So, to be a part of that and potentially a driving factor in some success would be pretty special."