Dunstan had been on Collingwood's radar since his late teens but was only convinced by the club to join them after spending two seasons with Preston in the Victorian Football Association.
During his early career at Collingwood, the young centre half-forward was also serving an apprenticeship in an engineering unit of the Australian Army.
[2] Although he missed the first four rounds of the 1951 VFL season, Dunstan topped Collingwood's goal-kicking with 40 goals, including a bag of eight against Hawthorn at Glenferrie Oval.
As a result of his illness, as well as a leg injury, he missed out on participating in Collingwood's 12th premiership, with Terry Waites replacing him in the team for the finals.
[3] His misfortunes in 1953 weren't the only time he had spells on the sidelines, over the course of his short career he suffered breaks on his ankle, hands, toe and ribs.