Hawthorn premiership players Jack Gunston, Ben Stratton, Paul Puopolo and Ryan Schoenmakers have been awarded life membership at Hawthorn's 2018 Annual General Meeting at the Hawthorn Town Hall.
The players were honoured in front of the 2019 playing group, coaches, Directors, staff, and a packed house of the Hawks faithful at Hawthorn Town Hall on Tuesday night.
All four players have enjoyed momentous careers at the Hawks thus far with Gunston, Puopolo and Stratton celebrating three premierships in a row during the memorable 2013-2015 period.
Read: Influential figures awarded life membership
Gunston (172 games) received All Australian honours for the first time in 2018 after a stellar season. The versatile 27-year old spent the majority of the year up forward, kicking 51 goals, but slotted into defence when required.
Puopolo (168 games) is a three-time premiership star who defied the odds when he was recruited from Norwood, South Australia at 22 years of age.
The 31-year-old small forward is showing no signs of slowing down heading into his ninth season.
Stratton (169 games) was the general of the Hawks’ backline in 2018, known not only for his luscious mullet, but his reliability nullifying the impact of the best forwards in the competition.
28-year-old Schoenmakers (121 games) was honoured with life membership for his 10 years of service to the Hawks. Schoenmakers had a stellar performance in the 2015 grand final win, collecting 21 touches, a goal and a memorable mark over Shannon Hurn.
Criteria for Life Membership
The Constitution currently provides for Life Membership to be granted to Directors with 9 years’ or any player who has completed 10 years’ service with the Club or 150 senior games with the Club. The Directors may each year, at their discretion, elect not more than 2 Life Members, whom they consider entitled by reasons of special services rendered to the Club.
