The new year of 2026 has begun with a heartwarming celebration for one of Australia's premier sporting couples. Brisbane Lions AFL star Josh Dunkley, 29, and Queensland Firebirds netballer Tippah Dwan, 26, have announced their engagement, sharing the joyful news with fans via a sweet Instagram post on New Year's Day.
A Sweet Social Media Announcement
The couple revealed their happy news with a series of images taken at a picturesque country estate. In the photos, the sporting power couple beamed for the camera, with Dwan proudly showing off her new diamond engagement ring. They captioned the joint post simply, 'Little update,' accompanied by a white heart emoji.
The announcement was swiftly flooded with congratulatory messages from family, teammates, and famous friends across the sporting world. Brisbane Lions player Kai Lohmann, netball stars like Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Liz Watson, and Olympic swimmer Shayna Jack were among those sharing in the couple's joy.
A Love Story Forged in Challenging Times
Dunkley and Dwan's relationship is a testament to resilience, having blossomed and endured through the significant challenges of professional sports schedules and the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been together for over four years, first connecting through a family tie—Dunkley's sister Lara, who is also a Firebirds player.
They initially met in 2020 when Dunkley, then playing for the Western Bulldogs, was in Queensland for football. 'We first met through his sister Lara when Josh was up in Queensland hubbing for football during 2020,' Dwan recalled in a past interview. Despite the geographical distance between Melbourne and Brisbane, and the added strain of lockdowns, their bond strengthened.
Dwan spoke of their commitment to making it work: 'Living in different cities we would do anything to see each other whenever we got the opportunity. Even if it was for only a short time, we would make it work.'
The Foundation of a Lasting Partnership
For Dunkley, a pivotal moment came early on when Dwan's profound support during a difficult period of injury and isolation confirmed she was 'the one'. 'She sent me a gift and a letter that I'll treasure forever,' he said, reflecting on a time when they were kept apart.
The couple credits open communication and mutual respect as the cornerstones of their successful relationship. They navigate the practicalities of life together—like Dunkley taking out the bins—with a philosophy of support. 'Always being willing to listen to each other no matter the circumstance,' Dunkley emphasised, while Dwan added the importance of 'helping and understanding each other through hard times but also cherishing the good ones.'
As they step into this new chapter in 2026, their story remains an inspiring blend of romantic devotion and pragmatic partnership, celebrated by fans across both the AFL and netball worlds.
