Overview

• Dunkley said he suffered the syndesmosis injury in the preliminary final win over Collingwood and carried it into the decider against Geelong.
• He characterised the ankle damage as a six-to-eight-week injury that usually requires an operation soon after diagnosis.
• Despite clear limitations and pain, he contributed key moments as Brisbane steadied before breaking the game open.
• Teammates and staff highlighted the Lions’ resilience under Chris Fagan, with Dunkley embracing the “cockroaches” tag adopted during the finals.
• The victory marked his third premiership and fifth Grand Final appearance, drawing strong praise from co-captain Harris Andrews for his team-first approach.