Dunkley played grand final with grade-three syndesmosis injury, will undergo surgery

Josh Dunkley played in his third AFL premiership with an ankle injury that will require surgery, revealing he carried a grade-three syndesmosis injury into Brisbane's grand final victory over Geelong. The Lions’ midfielder was hurt in last week’s preliminary final win over Collingwood and pressed through the pain as Brisbane weathered a strong Geelong challenge before pulling away in the final term.

Dunkley said the injury would normally sideline a player for six to eight weeks and that the club’s doctor told him he could still line up on grand final day. “That’s part of being an AFL player, you put up with injuries,” he said. He also disclosed plans to undergo a shoulder reconstruction next Tuesday, with an ankle operation to follow after that. “We’ve got 10 weeks to get better now in the off-season. I will do anything for this club,” Dunkley added, acknowledging the physical toll of the campaign.

Pre-game injuries dominated Brisbane’s build-up, with Lachie Neale’s calf and Jarrod Berry’s dislocated shoulder among the focal points. Brandon Starcevich also left the game in the third term due to a head knock. Yet Dunkley was one of the Lions’ celebrated “cockroaches,” a label coach Chris Fagan has used for players who refuse to quit despite repeated injuries.

“I wasn’t about the kicks, marks and handballs for me,” Dunkley said of his role in the victory. “It was more about the leadership and helping our guys just go to work.” He noted the midfielders learned from the club’s defeat in the qualifying final to Geelong and credited Lachie Neale’s timely return as contributing to Brisbane’s ability to weather the contest. “Lachie Neale coming on gave us a bit of a different look as well.”

Co-captain Harris Andrews called Dunkley a “winner” and a standout teammate, praising his mindset and resilience. “The way he puts his ego on the hook each and every week, he’s the best teammate in the world,” Andrews said. “He’s a warrior. He’s tough, he’s resilient, his mindset is incredible.”

This was Dunkley’s fifth grand final appearance, including a premiership with the Western Bulldogs in 2016 and a 2021 grand final loss. Since being traded to Brisbane at the end of 2022, he has now reached three straight grand finals with the Lions, underscoring a remarkable run of longevity and impact for a player who has become a central figure in Brisbane’s midfield.

The game itself capped a dramatic season for the Lions, who overcame early pressure and a hot opening period from Geelong to seal the premiership. Dunkley’s admission of the ankle injury adds a stark, behind-the-scenes detail to a performance celebrated by Brisbane supporters and acknowledged by league peers as a testament to his toughness and commitment to the club.