HOW DO you make an impact in a forward line containing three of the biggest stars in football?

Hawthorn pocket rocket Paul Puopolo probably won't kick bags of goals like Lance Franklin, take pack marks like Jarryd Roughead or dance around opponents like Cyril Rioli.

But his contribution in the Hawks' forward set-up could prove just as influential in the run to the finals.

Puopolo is his team's pressure man.

Energetic and blessed with an explosive burst of pace, the 24-year-old's primary task is to wreak havoc on opposition defenders trying to clear the ball.

"Tackle pressure is a big thing for our side," Puopolo said this week.

"If I can help out the other boys by putting pressure on and delaying the opposition, then I'm doing my role for the team."

Having spent much of his debut AFL season in defence, the South Australian was used forward with success during last year's finals series.

He then developed his craft with Hawthorn forwards coach Leon Cameron over summer, and is now forming a damaging ground-level partnership with Rioli.

"I'm trying to learn as much as I can from Cyril, because he's such a good forward," Puopolo said.

"We try to pump each other up before the game, saying, 'let's see how many tackles we can get'.

"It's good to help him out and I'm learning a lot."

Puopolo played 20 consecutive games following his round seven debut in 2011, but his momentum was suddenly halted on the eve of his second AFL season when he suffered a hamstring injury during Hawthorn's final NAB Cup hitout.

Scans showed a split tendon.

"It's a pretty serious injury if you keep going on it; it can lead to surgery," Puopolo said.

He missed five weeks of training and seven weeks of football, putting a sizeable dent in a pre-season's worth of hard-earned fitness.

"It's taken me a while to get back [to full fitness]," Puopolo said.

"I came through as the sub a couple of times, and I've just been trying to find my feet again.

"It's sort of hard too, when you're the sub, to build that match fitness back up.

"But I'm getting more game time now, so hopefully my form will lift."

The former Norwood star's two-goal, 17-disposal game in the 115-point win over North Melbourne last week was a sign of that top form returning.

"I was pretty excited," Puopolo said.

"My energy was really good at the start of the game, and that's something I've been trying to work on.

"When you're the sub you don't know when you're coming on, so from the go I was just hunting the ball."

Family and friends in the stands will be hoping for a similar display when Puopolo returns to his home state to take on Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.