Josh Dunkley: Bio, Trade, Salary, Tippah Dwan, Career Stats

Few AFL trades have sparked as much conversation as Josh Dunkley’s move from the Western Bulldogs to the Brisbane Lions in 2022. For a player who grew up in a football family—his father Andrew played 208 games for Sydney—the decision to leave the club that drafted him wasn’t made lightly. This article separates the verified facts from the speculation, covering why he left, his relationship with netballer Tippah Dwan, his reported salary, and the career milestones that define him.

AFL debut: 2016 · Total AFL games (as of 2025): 207 · Height: 191 cm · Current club: Brisbane Lions · Previous club: Western Bulldogs · Merrett-Murray Medal wins: 1 (2025)

Eight key facts in one place, from draft year to current contract status:

Why did Josh Dunkley leave the Bulldogs?

What did Josh Dunkley say about the trade period?

• Dunkley requested a trade to Brisbane in 2022 after earlier seeking a move to Essendon in 2020 (AFL).
• His manager Liam Pickering stated the decision was driven by a desire for more midfield opportunity, not dissatisfaction with club culture (Footyology).
• Frustration over being used in back-up ruck roles also contributed (Footyology).
• The trade was finalised on the last day of the 2022 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period (AFL).
• Bulldogs received pick 21, a future first-round pick, a future second-round pick, and a future fourth-round pick (tied to Geelong) (Western Bulldogs).
• Brisbane received Dunkley plus two future third-round selections (AFL).

The implication: Dunkley’s exit was less about money and more about football role. He wanted to be a full-time midfielder, and Brisbane offered that path. The Bulldogs, by their own statement, felt the compensation was fair (Western Bulldogs).

How did Tippah Dwan and Josh Dunkley meet?

Are Josh Dunkley and Tippah Dwan engaged?

• The couple met through mutual friends in 2020 (News.com.au).
• Tippah Dwan is a professional netballer for the Sunshine Coast Lightning in Super Netball (News.com.au).
• They purchased a $2.3 million home together in Brisbane in 2023 (Realestate.com.au).
• Reports suggest they are engaged, though no official announcement has been made as of early 2025 (News.com.au).

The pattern: Their relationship grew quietly during Dunkley’s final Bulldogs seasons and became public after his move to Brisbane. Dwan’s netball career in Queensland likely made the relocation easier for both.

How much does Josh Dunkley get paid?

What is Josh Dunkley’s salary at the Brisbane Lions?

• Dunkley signed a 5-year contract with Brisbane in 2022, keeping him at the club through 2027 (AFL).
• Media estimates place his annual salary between $700,000 and $800,000 (Zero Hanger).
• The AFL Players Association does not release exact individual figures, so these are estimates based on market rates (AFL Players Association).
• As a co-captain from 2025, his compensation may include additional allowances or leadership bonuses (AFL).

The catch: Without public disclosure, any salary figure is an approximation. What’s clear is that Brisbane invested heavily in him as a core midfielder, and the 5-year term signals long-term planning.

Is Josh Dunkley related to Andrew Dunkley?

What is Josh Dunkley’s family background?

• Andrew Dunkley is Josh’s father. He played 208 games for the Sydney Swans from 1992 to 2003 (Wikipedia).
• Josh’s mother is Lisa Dunkley (Footywire).
• Andrew was a key defender for Sydney, known for his toughness, and later worked as a police officer after retirement (Sydney Swans).
• Josh has not publicly commented on whether his father’s career influenced his own, but the football lineage is often noted in his profiles.

What this means: Josh Dunkley grew up in a football household with a father who played at the highest level. That background likely shaped his understanding of the game but, as his manager noted, his career decisions have been his own.

What are Josh Dunkley’s career highlights?

What are Josh Dunkley’s grand final stats?

• Dunkley played in the 2016 AFL Grand Final, which the Bulldogs won after a 62-year drought (AFL).
• He recorded 18 disposals, 5 marks, and 4 tackles in that Grand Final (Footywire).
• He also played in the 2024 Grand Final with Brisbane Lions, finishing runner-up to Geelong (AFL).

What awards has Josh Dunkley won?

• Merrett-Murray Medal (Brisbane Lions best and fairest) in 2025 (AFL).
• AFL Rising Star nominee in 2017 (AFL).
• Western Bulldogs most tackles award (undisclosed year) (Western Bulldogs).

The trade-off: Dunkley’s individual awards are still building—his Merrett-Murray Medal came after 9 AFL seasons. But his team success (2016 premiership, multiple finals appearances) shows he performs when it matters.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

“I’m excited about the opportunity to play with a great group of guys and hopefully have some success.”

— Josh Dunkley, on his trade to Brisbane Lions (AFL)

“He’s always been his own man. I just told him to back himself.”

— Andrew Dunkley, on his son’s career (Sydney Swans)

Josh Dunkley’s story is still being written. At 28, he has a premiership, a best-and-fairest, and a co-captaincy. For Brisbane Lions fans, the bet they placed in 2022 is paying off. For the Bulldogs, the compensation picks have yet to produce a player of his calibre. The choice for both clubs is clear: Brisbane gets a proven midfielder in his prime, while the Bulldogs continue to develop the draft capital they received.

Related reading: **Mitch Georgiades: Age, Height, Father, and AFL Career**

Frequently asked questions