In brief
AFL matches: 23
Disposals per game: 13.3
Tackles per game: 5
Goals: 29
Review
WEEK in, week out, you know what to expect from Paul Puopolo.
A fierce competitor, Puopolo enjoyed another ultra consistent season as a small forward, enjoying premiership success for the third time.
The 27-year-old pocket rocket played 23 of a possible 26 games during 2015 – passing 100 career games during the course of the season – to again reinforce why he is such an important component of the triple reigning premiers’ side.
While Puopolo’s disposal average was marginally down on 2014 – 13.3 per game as opposed to 15.8 per game – he continued to have a big impact for the Hawks.
With a focus on defensive pressure, the small forward ranked second at the club for tackles (averaging five per game) and seventh in the league for goal assists (24 for the season).
Puopolo also ranked fifth at the club for goals, producing a career-best season tally of 29 majors to complement his ability to help his teammates hit the scoreboard.
He hit the scoreboard in 18 of his 23 matches, with a season-best four goals helping set up a win against the Bombers in Round 13.
On two other occasions – Round 1 and Round 17 – Puopolo snared three goals, while he laid 12 tackles in the Hawks’ Round 9 win against Gold Coast Suns (before sustaining a minor injury) and Round 15 triumph over Fremantle.
A tireless worker, Puopolo proved an essential part of the Hawks’ forward line, combining with Cyril Rioli and Luke Breust to hustle the opposition inside 50.
But his highlights reel also packs a punch, with a spectacular grab against Geelong in the season opener, a superb tackle on Eddie Betts in the semi final and a weave through the Sydney Swans’ defence in Round 8 to set up a Ryan Schoenmakers’ goal just some of his brilliant moments in 2015.
After joining the Hawks as a mature-aged recruit at the end of 2010, Puopolo has now played five seasons and 111 games of AFL football.
He said the Hawks’ premiership just get “better and better” – and no doubt he will continue to push hard to help his team achieve success next season.
GM - Football Operations Chris Fagan says...
“Poppy is one of those guys who always plays his role for the team,” Fagan said.
“He’s not necessarily a high possession winner, but the pressure that he puts on in the forward line leads to a lot of mistakes from opposition and creates a lot of opportunities for others.
“He in tandem with (Luke) Breust and (Cyril) Rioli, are dynamic and they cause the opposition to make mistakes, sometimes when they shouldn’t.
“A three-time premiership player, his ability to try hard and give his all is better than anyone’s, and he’s a great culture player for our team.”
In the news
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NEWS: No challenge too big for 100-gamer Paul Puopolo
NEWS: Puopolo achieves three-peat
VIDEO: Ask a Hawk: Puopolo
