Paul Puopolo

Paul Puopolo
Personal information
Date of birth 2 December 1987 (1987-12-02) (age 24)
Original team Norwood Redlegs
Draft 66th overall, 2010 AFL Draft
Height/Weight 173 cm / 76 kg
Position(s) Back Pocket / Forward Pocket
Club information
Current club Hawthorn
Number 28
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2011– Hawthorn 20 (8)
1 Playing statistics to end of 2011 season .
Career highlights
  • 2008 Round 10 SANFL Coca Cola Star Search Award Nominee
  • 2011 Hawthorn Best First Year Player Award

Paul Puopolo (born 2 December 1987) is an Australian rules footballer with the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Contents

Norwood

Puopolo made his debut for Norwood in 2007 and started out as a small forward/midfielder. Puopolo, who hails from the Hope Valley, South Australia quickly built a reputation as the South Australian National Football League's best lockdown small defender. He was converted from 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.[1] In 2008 he was a SANFL Coca Cola Star Search Award Nominee.[2] 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.[3]

Hawthorn

Puopolo made his debut for the Hawks in Round 7 of the 2011 AFL season against Port Adelaide.[4][5] He is the AFL's ninth shortest player, standing at 173 cm.[6] In his debut game, Puopolo had a reasonable performance, having nine kicks, six handballs and laying two tackles.[7] He showed signs of being a tough-no-nonsense player. He has since flourished in what has become a permanent role in the Hawks' back pocket position.

After making his debut in Round 7, Puopolo went on to play Hawthorn's remaining 19 games of the 2011 season, including three finals. 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.

References

  1. ^ Bednall, Jai (26 May 2010). "Tall order for Norwood's small defender". Leader Messenger. http://leader-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/story/tall-order-for-small-defender. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  2. ^ "SANFL News". South Australian National Football League. 11 June 2008. http://www.sanfl.com.au/news/sanfl_news/page_111/299/. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  3. ^ "NFC Annual Report: Season 2010". Norwood Football Club. p. 8. http://www.norwoodfc.com.au/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/documents/NFC%20ANNUAL%20REPORT%2010.pdf. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  4. ^ Diamond, Brett (2 May 2011). "Paul Puopolo set to make his debut". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/puopolo-set-for-hawthorn-debut-20110501-1e31q.html. Retrieved 5 May 2011. 
  5. ^ Writer, Staff (4 May 2011). "Paul Puopolo will make his debut against Port". Herald Sun. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/hawthorn-pair-isaac-smith-and-paul-puopolo-will-debut-against-port/story-e6frf9jf-1226049874284. Retrieved 6 May 2011. 
  6. ^ Macgugan, Mark (5 May 2011). "Paul Puopolo winning for tiny players". Australian Football League. http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/113141/default.aspx. Retrieved 5 May 2011. 
  7. ^ "Round 7: Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn Basic Stats". Australian Football League. http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/16931/default.aspx#fixtureid=5506&tab=Stats. Retrieved 7 May 2011. 

External links

Hawthorn Football Club – current squad

*Rookie Listed players