AFL star Josh Dunkley announces engagement to Tippah Dwan on New Year’s Day as the netballer shows off her massive diamond ring

Josh Dunkley and Tippah Dwan have begun 2026 by marking a new chapter in their lives. 

The AFL player and his netballer love announced their engagement on New Year’s Day with a sweet Instagram post. 

In the images, Brisbane Lions footballer and the Queensland Firebirds star posed together at a stunning country estate as Tippah showed off her diamond ring. 

‘Little update,’ the post, which the two shared together, was captioned, alongside a white heart emoji. 

The good news was quickly inundated with congratulations from the couple’s family and famous friends. 

Brisbane Lions player Kai Lohmann chimed in: ‘Congrats guys while sports reporter Abbey Holmes wrote, ‘SO GOOD!! Congrats guys.’

Queensland Firebirds netballer Ruby Bakewell-Doran commented, ‘Oh my gosh congratulations you two!!!’

Netball player Liz Watson said, ‘Ahhhhh congratulations,’ while Olympic swimmer Shayna Jack commented, ‘Woohoo!!! Congratulations to you both.’

Last year, Josh and Tippah shared the touching details of their romance, including the pivotal moment Dunkley knew he had found his soulmate.

Josh, 29, a key player for the Brisbane Lions, and Tippah, 26, a standout netballer for the Suncorp Super Netball’s Queensland Firebirds, have been together for over four years. 

Their relationship, which began through a family connection – Dunkley’s sister Lara, also a Firebirds player – has thrived despite the challenges posed by their professional sports careers and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The couple first met while Dunkley was playing for the Western Bulldogs but had travelled to Queensland for football.

‘We first met through his sister Lara when Josh was up in Queensland hubbing for football during 2020, we then spent a lot of time in our off-seasons together,’ Dwan told News Corp.

‘I thought he was very beautiful but I could also tell he was a lovely boy from the get-go.’

The geographical distance, coupled with COVID lockdowns, threw plenty of challenges in the way of the young lovers.  

‘Living in different cities we would do anything to see each other whenever we got the opportunity,’ Tippah said. 

‘Even if it was for only a short time, we would make it work to see each other.’ 

Dunkley’s fondest memory is receiving a heartfelt gift and letter from Dwan during a particularly tough period of isolation and injury recovery.

‘When we lived apart and we couldn’t see each other much due to COVID, I was struggling with a shoulder injury and isolation. She sent me a gift and a letter that I’ll treasure forever,’ he said.

 Dunkley admitted to falling for his beau very quickly, despite their separation through the isolation period.

‘After a few months of getting to know each other. I just felt like she was the one,’ he said.

Their story is not just about romantic gestures but also about the day-to-day realities of sharing a life together.

From deciding who takes out the bins – Dunkley’s job – to settling who does most of the housework, they emphasise communication and mutual support as the foundation of their happiness.

‘Always being willing to listen to each other no matter the circumstance,’ Dunkley said was the secret to their happy relationship.

‘Also allowing the other to live their own life and do things that make them happy.’

Dwan added: ‘Helping and understanding each other through hard times but also cherishing the good ones by making quality time for one another.’