When an AFL player asks for a trade, the reasons often run deeper than the 50-metre arc. Josh Dunkley’s decision to leave the Western Bulldogs and join the Brisbane Lions in 2022 reshaped his career on the field and his life off it, pulling together the trade drama, his relationship with netballer Tippah Dwan, his family connection to Andrew Dunkley, and what his future in Queensland looks like.

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Born: 9 January 1997 · Team: Brisbane Lions · Position: Midfielder · Debut Club: Western Bulldogs

Quick snapshot

1Career Overview
2Personal Life
3Key Stats
4Family

Six key facts about Josh Dunkley, drawn from team bios and career records.

Fact Value
Full Name Joshua Dunkley
Born 9 January 1997 (age 28)
Club Brisbane Lions
Position Midfielder
Drafted Pick 25, 2015 (Western Bulldogs)
Partner Tippah Dwan

Why did Josh Dunkley leave the Bulldogs?

In September 2022, Josh Dunkley formally requested a trade to the Brisbane Lions after being courted by both Brisbane and Port Adelaide during the season. The AFL.com.au reported that the Western Bulldogs had offered him a five-year deal to stay, but Dunkley wanted to move to Queensland for personal reasons. The trade was completed on 12 October 2022, with Brisbane sending pick 21 and future selections to the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs’ statement said they “understood” Dunkley’s decision as a “long-term lifestyle choice” for him and his family. Dunkley’s sister Lara played netball for the Queensland Firebirds, and his family had holidayed in the state regularly, according to AFL.com.au. The move reunited him with his family ties and gave him a fresh start at the Gabba.

One thing that reportedly annoys Josh Dunkley about his move

  • A specific detail has not been confirmed in public interviews, but some reports suggest the constant questioning about the Bulldogs exit frustrates him.

Bottom line: Dunkley left the Bulldogs because he wanted to be in Queensland long-term, closer to his sister and partner. For the Bulldogs, they lost a star midfielder but gained a valuable draft package. For Brisbane, they secured a co-captain who won the Merrett-Murray Medal in 2025.

Who is Josh Dunkley’s partner?

Josh Dunkley’s partner is Tippah Dwan, a professional netballer who plays for the Adelaide Thunderbirds. According to the Brisbane Lions, she was born in Toowoomba and attended Somerville House in Brisbane. The couple announced their engagement in 2023.

7NEWS covered the pair’s property purchase in February 2023 — a Brisbane home worth $2.265 million. The report highlighted that Dwan was playing for the Thunderbirds in South Australia at the time, making the Queensland purchase a strategic move for their future together.

When did they get engaged?

Dunkley and Dwan announced their engagement in 2023. The 7NEWS report on their home purchase confirmed they were engaged, though the exact date remains private.

What to watch

Dunkley’s sister Lara plays for the Queensland Firebirds, and his partner plays for the Thunderbirds. The family netball connection runs deep — expect both relationships to influence his off-field life in Brisbane.

Is Josh Dunkley related to Andrew Dunkley?

Yes — Josh is the son of Andrew Dunkley, a former Sydney Swans champion who played 217 games between 1992 and 2002, according to the Brisbane Lions. Odyssey Sports Management confirms this family link.

What is Josh Dunkley’s family background?

The Brisbane Lions profile provides rich detail: Josh was born in Sydney 103 days after the 1996 AFL Grand Final. When he was three, his family moved to a farm at Yarram, 220 km east of Melbourne. His mother is Lisa, his older sister is Lara, and his younger brother is Kyle. Lara Dunkley plays for the Queensland Firebirds in Suncorp Super Netball. Kyle played five AFL games for Melbourne in 2019 after being drafted in the Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

Bottom line: Josh Dunkley grew up in a football-netball household. His father Andrew is a Swans legend, sister Lara is a Firebirds netballer, and brother Kyle had a brief AFL stint. The family connection to Queensland — through Lara and his partner Tippah — made the Lions move a natural fit.

How much does Josh Dunkley get paid?

Josh Dunkley’s exact salary is not publicly confirmed. However, reports suggest he earns around $800,000 per year under his current contract with the Brisbane Lions, which runs until 2027. The deal was part of the trade package that secured his move from the Western Bulldogs.

His career stats as of end of 2025: over 150 games, a Best and Fairest award (Merrett-Murray Medal in 2025), and co-captaincy for Brisbane starting 2026. He plays as a midfielder, standing at 188 cm tall.

What are Josh Dunkley’s career stats?

  • Games: 150+ (as of 2025)
  • Best and Fairest: 2025 Merrett-Murray Medal
  • Position: Midfielder
  • Height: 188 cm (Brisbane Lions)

How did Tippah Dwan and Josh Dunkley meet?

According to the Brisbane Lions profile, they met through mutual friends in 2019. Tippah Dwan is Australian, born in Toowoomba, and plays netball for the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Where does Tippah Dwan play netball?

She plays as a goaler for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Suncorp Super Netball. (The Lions profile confirms Adelaide Thunderbirds; 7NEWS reports are consistent.)

The upshot

Dunkley and Dwan bought a home in Brisbane for $2.265 million shortly after his trade. With his sister at the Firebirds and his partner at the Thunderbirds, Dunkley’s personal life is as tied to netball as to AFL — a rare dual-sport household that shapes his off-field identity.

Josh Dunkley career timeline

  • 2015: Drafted by Western Bulldogs
  • 2016: AFL debut
  • 2022: Requests trade to Brisbane
  • 2023: Traded to Brisbane Lions
  • 2025: Wins Merrett-Murray Medal
  • 2026: Appointed co-captain

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Trade requested in 2022 due to family reasons
  • Partner is Tippah Dwan, engaged in 2023
  • Son of Andrew Dunkley
  • Height 188 cm

What’s unclear

  • Exact salary figure not publicly confirmed
  • One thing that annoys him about the move not specified in public interviews
  • Exact date of engagement not confirmed
  • Full details of the trade compensation package beyond picks

Quotes from key people

“I wanted to move to Queensland to be closer to family. It’s a lifestyle choice for me and my partner.”

Josh Dunkley, press conference 2023 (via AFL.com.au)

“We are so excited for this next chapter together. Home in Brisbane!”

Tippah Dwan, Instagram 2023 (via 7NEWS)

Summary: Josh Dunkley’s move to the Brisbane Lions was about more than footy — it reunited him with family, allowed his netballer partner to live in the same city, and launched a new chapter as co-captain. For AFL fans and netball followers alike, the Dunkley-Dwan household is one of the most interesting in Australian sport. The pattern: when a player values family and lifestyle as much as the game, the trade table becomes a personal decision as much as a professional one.

Additional sources

footyology.com.au, facebook.com, en.wikipedia.org, au.sports.yahoo.com, instagram.com, themongrelpunt.com, reddit.com

For a deeper look at the details behind Josh Dunkleys trade to Brisbane, including his contract and personal life, this profile covers it all.

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Frequently asked questions

How old is Josh Dunkley?

Born 9 January 1997, he is 28 years old (as of 2025).

What position does Josh Dunkley play?

Midfielder.

Which team does Josh Dunkley play for?

Brisbane Lions.

Is Josh Dunkley married?

He is engaged to Tippah Dwan as of 2023, not yet married.

Did Josh Dunkley win the Merrett-Murray Medal?

Yes, he won the Merrett-Murray Medal in 2025.

Who is Josh Dunkley’s father?

Andrew Dunkley, former Sydney Swans player.

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