Paul Puopolo
| Paul Puopolo | |||
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Puopolo in April 2017
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| Personal information | |||
| Nickname(s) | Pug, Poppy | ||
| Date of birth | 2 December 1987 | ||
| Original team(s) | Hope Valley / Norwood | ||
| Draft | 66th overall, 2010 AFL Draft | ||
| Height / weight | 173 cm / 76 kg | ||
| Position(s) | Defender / Midfielder / Forward | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Hawthorn | ||
| Number | 28 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2011– | Hawthorn | 144 (144) | |
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1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 11, 2017.
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| Career highlights | |||
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| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Paul Puopolo (born 2 December 1987) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). A man small in stature he is known to jump into packs and take marks against much taller opponents. He is a 3-time premiership player having played in Hawthorn's back-to-back-to-back Grand Final triumphs in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Puopolo made his debut for Norwood in 2007 and started out as a small forward/midfielder. Puopolo, who hails from Hope Valley, South Australia quickly built a reputation as the South Australian National Football League's best lockdown small defender. He was converted into a defender by former Norwood coach Trevor Hill in 2008. Despite his lack of height, he has always had the strength and speed to counter his rivals. In 2008 he was a SANFL Coca Cola Star Search Award Nominee. By the time he got drafted by Hawthorn at the end of 2010 he had played 68 senior games and kicked 13 goals for the Redlegs.
Puopolo made his debut for the Hawks in Round 7 of the 2011 AFL season against Port Adelaide. He is the AFL's tenth shortest player, standing at 173 cm. In his debut game, Puopolo had a reasonable performance, having nine kicks, six handballs and laying two tackles. He showed signs of being a tough-no-nonsense player. He has since flourished, playing initially in the Hawks' back pocket position and later as a defensive forward.
After making his debut in Round 7, Puopolo went on to play Hawthorn's remaining 19 games of the 2011 season, including three finals. His goal late in the Round 24 final quarter against Gold Coast sealed the match, along with his tackle soon after which thwarted a forward 50 entry - the win secured Hawthorn a top 4 ladder position for the finals ahead. Puopolo kicked 3 goals in the Semi-Final against Sydney, and 1 goal against Collingwood in the Preliminary Final. He finished his debut season with 20 games and 8 goals, gaining much experience in a brilliant first season. He was awarded Hawthorn's Best First Year Player Award.
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