Arguably the greatest Australian rules footballer to come from Queensland, Dunstall made his name as a full-forward at a time when great full-forwards graced the field. His contemporaries included Tony Lockett, Gary Ablett Sr. and Tony Modra. He is one of only five players to have kicked over 1,000 career goals in the VFL/AFL, and only Lockett and 's Gordon Coventry have kicked more career goals. In an interview in 2011, champion footballer Wayne Carey regarded Dunstall as the best player he had seen and played against.