Dunstall was one of the first of a generation of big-bodied lead-up full-forwards who could also out-wrestle opponents for position in a marking contest and was also an agile team-orientated player.
In an interview in 2011, champion North Melbourne footballer Wayne Carey regarded Dunstall as the best player he had seen and played against.
After finishing as a player, Dunstall has become a prominent football media personality, commentating matches for various radio stations in Melbourne and appearing regularly on Fox Footy as host of the show Bounce.
He instead receive an offer to train with Fitzroy, but reserves coach Brian Walsh was not impressed, choosing to recruit fellow Queenslander Scott McIvor instead.
When a group of players was arrested after a night during an overseas trip, Jeans was called to the local police station to address their detention.
[12] In 1987, expansion club the Brisbane Bears—in search of a marquee Queenslander—made a $2 million, 10-year offer to Dunstall; however, despite the lucrative deal and the opportunity to return to his home stage, he turned it down, choosing to stay with the Hawks.
Representing Victoria in the State of Origin series, Dunstall won the Simpson Medal for best on ground in the match against Western Australia played in Perth.
In Round 1, in the Grand Final rematch against Geelong at Waverley Park, he kicked a then career-best 12 goals after being held goalless in the first quarter.
[18] Dunstall's outstanding season was recognised with his third club best and fairest award, as well as his first selection in the All-Australian team at full-forward.
[20] Dunstall did return for the final game of the year, but only after having announced his retirement, first to the Hawthorn coaching and management staff, then to the general public on the Seven Network football show Live and Kicking.
[21] Before Dunstall's final game, against Fremantle at Waverley Park, a number of his former teammates and associates came to congratulate him, including coach Allan Jeans.
The Hawks kicked 11 goals in the last quarter to win by 89 points, and amid emotional scenes Dunstall was chaired off the ground by his teammates, bringing to a close one of the most successful eras in Hawthorn's on-field history.
[citation needed] Team Individual Dunstall has been guest commentator on the Seven Network and radio station 3AW and was a regular panellist in the early days of The Footy Show.
He has been the focus on continual baiting by his Triple M co-commentators and is nicknamed "The Ugandan National Symbol" for his gorilla-like style, attitude and demeanour.
These gorilla references made their way onto The Footy Show, where both fans and Sam Newman repeatably baited Dunstall with video clips and props.
[28] Dunstall was reportedly furious when details of his whereabouts were made public, resulting in people knocking on his house door asking for photos with him.
[28] He was especially threatening towards James Brayshaw, a colleague at Triple M and one of the hosts on The Footy Show who had labelled Dunstall a "sook".
[28] Dunstall and Brayshaw formally ended their feud the following week at the Victoria Racing Club footy finals fever lunch.
Dunstall has also hosted various television shows, including the Seven Network's Live and Kicking and Fox Footy's Saturday Central (with Wayne Carey), On the Couch and League Teams.