IN the space of five seasons, Paul Puopolo and Isaac Smith have gone from being state league footballers to three-time AFL premiership players.
Both joined the club at the end of the 2010 season, both played their 100th game this season (within the space of two weeks) and now both have played in the Hawks’ 2013, 2014 and 2015 flags.
Smith joined the Hawks with pick 19 in the 2010 AFL Draft, recruited from VFL club North Ballarat, and Puopolo followed with pick 66 from SANFL outfit Norwood.
Both have been a pivotal part of the Hawks’ success since.
Now 26 and 27 years old respectively, Smith and Puopolo both have speed to burn, a knack of hitting the scoreboard and know exactly how to play their roles to bring their team victory.
In and under, Puopolo’s forward pressure has been pivotal for the Hawks this season.
He said in his mind, the premierships kept getting better.
“It’s a great feeling, I’m very excited. The third time around, it gets better and better,” Puopolo said in the rooms after Saturday’s grand final win.
“It’s the same feeling, but there’s a lot more pressure (this year).
“Everyone keeps talking about the three-peat, and what we had to accomplish - it’s a hard journey, it wasn’t an easy thing to do.”
Smith, who was among the Hawks’ best on grand final day with 23 disposals and three goals, said he still pinches himself occasionally.
“Yeah, sometimes,” he said in the aftermath of the Hawks’ win.
“You just take every day as it is and you work hard, and if you work hard special things happen, so it’s pretty exciting.”
Smith is no stranger to a celebration – and had every reason to celebrate after his 60-metre goal and a dribbler from the pocket.
“I didn’t kick any last year, so it was nice to kick a couple on grand final day,” he said.
“But I couldn’t give a stuff if I kicked them or not, just as long as I’ve got the premiership medal around my neck.”
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