THERE'S something about Paul Puopolo that makes him easy to like.

The diminutive Hawthorn defender, who stands only 173cm but plays well above his height, has been a revelation this season.

After being selected with pick 66 in last year's NAB AFL Draft having played four seasons in the SANFL with Norwood, Puopolo has played 16 games for the Hawks this year.

He made his debut in round seven against Port Adelaide and has not missed a game since.

Against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday at the MCG, Puopolo played perhaps his finest so far.

Not only did he gather a career-high 28 disposals - 10 of which were contested - lay five tackles and take 10 marks, but Puopolo, 23, added a certain intangible element to a game lacking considerable spark.

On several occasions, Puopolo, based mainly in defence, ran hard at the contest, collected the ball and was able to manufacture space when there was none to deliver precise passes to teammates.

When there is mayhem around them, good players are able to assess the situation, remain unflustered and execute. It's exactly what Puopolo did against the Bulldogs, and has done for most of his debut AFL season.

He has never - at least on the surface - seemed overawed by the situation nor daunted by the opposition. It's a quality that will serve him well in the finals, where Puopolo will no doubt play an important role for the club.

Teammate Jordan Lewis said Puopolo's body strength and balance were the keys to his game.

"It's hard in the pre-season to judge how the new players are really going to go, but he's probably been the biggest surprise to me this year," Lewis said.

"He very rarely loses a one-on-one contest if his opponent's a small player, or even a bigger one. He provides a different element down back for us with his run and rebound."

Coach Alastair Clarkson agreed that Puopolo's influence was less about raw numbers and more about the dynamic he brought to the team.

"He was really impressive today. What you really like about him is he wins 50-50 contests. He's a great competitor and he's been a great acquisition into our side," Clarkson said.

"But he's one of several players, with Luke Breust and Isaac Smith, who have come in, played some good footy and been able to hold their place in the side, which is a real credit to them."

 Follow Callum Twomey on Twitter at @Cal_Twomey.