PAUL Puopolo, who labeled Saturday’s premiership the ‘best feeling ever’, didn’t miss the irony of almost being lost to the AFL after winning back-to-back premierships.
Overlooked as an 18 year old because of a back injury and by his own admission being in an unfit state both mentally and physically as a result, Puopolo almost didn’t make it onto an AFL list.
The South Australian of Italian heritage had to wait until 2010, when he was about to turn 23 years of age, to be drafted but after five years of waiting and hoping, Puopolo had actually almost given up the fight.
It wasn’t until an impressive season for SANFL club Norwood, where they won the premiership, backing from his coaches, teammates and family and then interest from some AFL clubs that he decided to nominate for the draft.
Ironically, Puopolo would arrive at Hawthorn via pick 66 in the National Draft with another mature age player, teammate Isaac Smith who was taken with selection 19.
Fast forward four years and Puopolo and Smith have played 88 and 86 games respectively and on Saturday, became dual Hawthorn premiership players.
And the irony of going from rejects to riches wasn’t lost on them.
“It’s the best feeling ever,” Puopolo said of winning back-to-back premierships.
“I’m trying to enjoy it but you get a little bit emotional thinking about it.
“I sat there and had a laugh with Isaac (Smith) at the end there saying ‘the rejects are two-time premiership players’.
“It’s something we can laugh about now but a lot of hard work has gone into it.”
Isaac Smith, Jack Gunston, Luke Breust and Paul Puopolo celebrate back-to-back premierships.
Season 2014 has been particularly hard work for the Hawks, overcoming a number of challenges throughout the season that no one would have blamed them for thinking it’s just not their year.
Alastair Clarkson missed five weeks with a rare illness and key players like Sam Mitchell, Cyril Rioli, Brian Lake and Josh Gibson spent extended periods on the sidelines.
But Puopolo understands overcoming hardship – it’s not every young and fit AFL aspirant has to deal with a broken back at 17 and 18 years of age.
He knows the importance everyone at Hawthorn has played in this year’s success, particularly those who stepped in in the absence of the injured stars.
Players like Jonathon Ceglar, Jonathan Simpkin, Mitch Hallahan, Angus Litherland and Billy Hartung to name a few.
“Missing our head coach is probably not something you want to be doing and obviously we had a few injuries to key players,” Puopolo told hawthornfc.com.au
“Luckily though, we’ve had a lot of development into our young players who could step in and play their roles for that side. That was really important.
“It has been a lot of hard work for the boys this year so there is a bit of relief as well (at the siren).”
In the end while Saturday’s result didn’t come as a shock, the emphatic nature in which the Hawks achieved back-to-back flags and the twelfth premiership in the Club’s history, was.
“We all prepared for a tight game but that’s the way footy goes, you don’t know what’s going to happen week in, week out,” Puopolo said.
“It’s a credit to our coaching staff because we’ve come out and played our best footy at the right time.”
