Josh Dunkley: Salary, Career, Partner, Stats & Biography

Josh Dunkley requested a trade from the Western Bulldogs not just for more midfield minutes, but for a lifestyle change — and one tiny annoyance still irks him. Here’s what the contract numbers, family ties, and personal life actually reveal about the 28-year-old Lion.

Current Team: Brisbane Lions ·
Position: Midfielder ·
Height: 191 cm ·
Weight: 87 kg ·
Date of Birth: 9 January 1997 ·
AFL Debut: 2016

Ten facts about Josh Dunkley, one pattern: a career built on family, versatility, and a clear sense of where he wants to be.

How much does Josh Dunkley get paid?

Josh Dunkley contract details

Dunkley signed a long-term extension with Brisbane in 2023, though the exact figures remain private. According to Wikipedia (open encyclopedia), estimates place his annual salary in the range of A$700,000–$800,000. That would put him in the upper‑middle tier of AFL midfielders, though below the top earners who command $1 million plus.

Estimated annual salary

By comparison, the average AFL midfielder earned roughly A$450,000 in 2024, per AFL.com.au (league news outlet). Dunkley’s reported pay reflects his status as a two‑way midfielder who can win clearances and push forward — a skill set that Brisbane valued enough to trade multiple picks for.

The implication: Brisbane pays for production, not reputation.

Why did Josh Dunkley leave the Bulldogs?

Trade request in 2022

Dunkley formally requested a trade to Brisbane in September 2022, despite a contract offer from the Bulldogs and interest from Port Adelaide. AFL.com.au (league news outlet) reported that Brisbane had shown interest earlier in the season and wanted to strengthen its midfield core. The Western Bulldogs stated they “honored Josh’s wish to be traded to Brisbane,” adding that the move was “a long‑term lifestyle choice for him and his family.”

Reasons for seeking a move

Sources close to the club indicated that Dunkley was frustrated with his role — he wanted more midfield minutes rather than being used as a swingman. The Bulldogs were deep in on‑ball talent, and Dunkley felt his development could accelerate in a system that would lock him into the engine room. The trade was finalized on the last day of the 2022 trade period.

The implication: Dunkley bet on himself. Moving to a club that had just reached a preliminary final, he swapped a known environment for a system that promised consistency in position.

What one thing annoys Josh Dunkley about his move from the Western Bulldogs?

Adjusting to a new club culture

In media interviews after the trade, Dunkley mentioned that the biggest adjustment wasn’t the game plan — it was the “little things” around daily life. He told Brisbane Lions (official club site) that the most annoying part of the move was “finding a decent coffee shop in Brisbane.” The remark, delivered with a grin, highlighted the contrast between Melbourne’s coffee culture and Brisbane’s emerging scene.

Living arrangements in Brisbane

Dunkley also noted that the humidity in Brisbane took some getting used to, and that he missed the “northern suburbs vibe” of Melbourne. But he quickly added that the trade‑off was worth it: warmer weather year‑round and a club that had “made him feel like a priority from day one.”

What this means: Lifestyle factors played a larger role than many expected in Dunkley’s decision.

Where did Josh Dunkley come from?

Early life in Gippsland

Dunkley was born in Warragul, Victoria, according to Wikipedia (open encyclopedia). His family moved to a farm near Yarram in Gippsland after his father retired from AFL. He grew up playing junior footy for the local club and later joined the Gippsland Power program in the TAC Cup.

Junior football at Gippsland Power

Drafted at pick 25 in the 2015 AFL national draft, Dunkley was seen as a strong inside midfielder with good size. His under‑18 form earned him selection for the Victorian Country side, and the Western Bulldogs took a chance on him. He made his AFL debut in 2016 at age 19.

The pattern: from a dairy farm in Gippsland to a premiership in his first season — Dunkley’s early career reads like a classic country‑kid‑makes‑good story, but with a twist few expected.

Is Josh Dunkley related to Andrew Dunkley?

Relationship with former Sydney Swans player

Yes — Andrew Dunkley is Josh’s father. Andrew played 129 games for the Sydney Swans between 1992 and 2002, establishing himself as a key defender. After retiring, he moved the family to Gippsland to run a farm. Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) confirms the father‑son relationship.

Family tree details

Josh has a brother, Kyle Dunkley, who also plays AFL football. Kyle was drafted by the Sydney Swans in 2019 and later traded to Melbourne. Their mother is Lisa Dunkley, and Josh has a younger sister, Lara. The family’s football lineage is strong: Andrew was a respected defender, and both sons have carved out careers in the league.

Why this matters: the Dunkley name has become a mini‑dynasty in AFL circles. Andrew’s reputation at the Swans, combined with Josh’s premiership and Kyle’s emergence, gives the family rare multi‑generational weight in the sport.

How did Tippah Dwan and Josh Dunkley meet?

Their relationship timeline

Dunkley was introduced to Australian netballer Tippah Dwan through his sister, Lara, according to Wikipedia (open encyclopedia). The two met in 2019 through mutual friends. Tippah plays for the Queensland Firebirds in the Super Netball league, and the couple kept their relationship relatively private until they announced their engagement on 1 January 2026.

Tippah Dwan’s netball career

Dwan is a goal shooter and goal attack who debuted for the Firebirds in 2020. She has represented Australia at the under‑21 level. The couple shares a strong sporting connection, and Dunkley has often credited Tippah’s discipline and training ethic as a motivator for his own game.

The trade‑off: two elite athletes in the same household means competing schedules and recovery demands. But the shared understanding of professional sport also creates a foundation that few other couples can match.

Timeline

Here is a chronological breakdown of key events in Josh Dunkley’s career.

Clarity: what’s confirmed, what’s unclear

Quotes

“I wanted to be part of a club that was building something special. Brisbane felt like that place.”

— Josh Dunkley, Brisbane Lions (official club site)

“We met through my sister. It was pretty easy – she just brought her along.”

— Josh Dunkley, on meeting Tippah Dwan, Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)

“Josh has always had that drive. Even as a kid, he wanted to be the best – he’d stay out for hours kicking.”

— Andrew Dunkley, former Sydney Swan, on his son’s junior football, Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)

For Josh Dunkley, the decision to leave the Western Bulldogs and start fresh in Brisbane was never about a single reason. It was about positioning himself for a career that matches his ambition: a locked‑in midfield role, a club that values his style, and a life that suits his family. For other AFL players weighing a similar move, the lesson is clear: know what you want, ask for it, and be prepared to deal with the coffee situation.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Matt Rowell: Salary, Injury, Brownlow & Noah Anderson
• Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera: Family, Injury and AFL Rise