Before Dunstall's final game, against at Waverley Park, a number of his former teammates and associates came to congratulate him, including coach Allan Jeans. Dunstall was clearly moved by the occasion, and combined with a severe lack of match fitness, struggled to have much impact on the game. He did however, score the first goal of the game and the first goal of the last term. Nevertheless, the 40,000 or so Hawthorn fans that came to pay tribute to their champion cheered every touch that Dunstall got of the ball. 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 the most successful chapter in Hawthorn's on-field history.