IF SELECTED for Hawthorn’s Round 9 match against Gold Coast at the MCG on Sunday, Luke Breust and Paul Puopolo will play their 50^th games for the Club.

It has been a long journey for both players, who reached AFL level in different circumstances.

For Breust, it was via the Rookie List, where he was selected by the Hawks with selection 47 in the 2009 Rookie Draft.

After a development season with the Club’s VFL affiliate Box Hill in 2010, Breust made his debut in Round 8 of the following year, when the Hawks took on the Saints at the MCG.

Such was his impact in that game, he earned the reputation and nickname of “super sub” – having an impact in each of the games he played in the role in its inaugural season.

He began his career at Hawthorn in the number 47 guernsey before upgrading to the number 22 at the end of his debut year.

In 2012, Breust quickly cemented his place in Hawthorn’s best 22, with the pain of being dropped for the 2011 Semi Final driving his hunger to succeed.

He finished second on the Club’s goal kicking leader board behind Lance Franklin last year, was recognised by his coaches as one of the Club’s most promising players by winning the Most Promising Award on Peter Crimmins Medal night and, topped off an excellent season with a place finish in the Club’s best and fairest.

The 22 year old plays with the composure of a player with 200 games experience, it’s hard to believe Round 9 marks only his 50^th game at the level.

He is having another outstanding year, and is enjoying more time in the midfield. Breust has established himself as one of the best small forwards in the game with his nous around goals and ability to bring teammates into the play highlights of his game.

Breust signed a contract extension with the Club in April.

Puopolo on the other hand was taken as a mature-age recruit in the 2010 National Draft, with selection 66 overall.

Recruited from Norwood in South Australia, Puopolo was overlooked in the draft when he was 18 after battling injury during his junior years that affected his ability to impress recruiters at the time.

Impressive form for SANFL club Norwood,  however, saw the Hawks pounce as it looked to add speed and depth to its small forwards.

He made his debut in Round 7, 2011 against Port Adelaide and played 20 games in his debut year including all three of his team’s finals matches in that year.

Now in his third season at the level, Puopolo has enjoyed more time in the midfield after building his engine over a strong pre-season.

He is averaging a career-high 15 disposals per game this year and achieved a career-best 28 disposals against Geelong in Round 1 this season.

He signed a contract extension with the Club last season until the end of 2014.