Brisbane midfielder Josh Dunkley has revealed he managed to play through the 2025 AFL Grand Final with a serious ankle injury.
The Lions midfielder was managed in the lead-up to the season decider, having limited sessions on both Tuesday and Thursday to best prepare for the Geelong test.
Dunkley managed to record 16 disposals and five tackles in the 47-point victory to clinch his third premiership medal, and his second as a Lion.
It has been revealed that the 28-year-old played out the game with a grade three syndesmosis injury - an ailment that often includes a rupture of one or more ligaments attached to the ankle joint, and requires months of recovery to return to full fitness.
Speaking to media after the win at the MCG, Dunkley revealed his conversations with the club's doctor in the lead-up to the Grand Final.
"That's a six-to-eight-week injury - under the knife normally, the next week," he said, per AAP.
"I got a call from the doc (early this week) and he said to me 'you're not going to miss, we'll get you up for it'.
"That's part of being an AFL player, you put up with injuries."
Dunkley has also revealed he will undergo shoulder and ankle surgery in the off-season to be back at full health come the pre-season.
The Lions onballer's injury concern wasn't alone in the lead-up to the game, with Lachie Neale's well-documented recovery seeing him come into the game for the second half after starting as the sub.
The two-time Brownlow Medal winner managed to overcome a calf strain weeks prior to his initially expected return date, with Neale amassing 17 disposals, seven clearances and a goal in half a game to lead the Lions to a second successive flag.
Geelong spearhead Jeremy Cameron managed to play out the game despite suffering a broken arm and requiring close to 20 minutes on the sidelines mid-match.
