Born: May 5, 1958
Recruited: North Kew FC
Played: 1975 - 1991
Debut Order: 640
First game: Round 18, 1975
Last game: Round 12, 1991
Games: 240
Goals: 130
Guernsey: 38 (1973) 9 (1978 - 1991)
Premierships: 1978, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989
Night Premierships: 1985, 1986, 1988, 1991
3rd Best & Fairest: 1984
Life Member: 1984
Team of the Century: 2001
Hall of Fame Inductee: 2008
VFL / AFL Honours
Brownlow Medal: 1986 (Tied with Greg Williams, Sydney Swans)
State Representative 6
All-Australian: 1984, 1986, 1987
VFL / AFL Life Member: 2001
AFL Hall of Fame Inductee: 2007
"I was born to play finals" is Dipper’s now famous quote after being considered Best on Ground in the 1978 premiership. He played in another four premierships for his beloved Hawks. Dipper, in a sense, represented the essence of Hawthorn. He was a battler who made good, and as such, echoed the story of the Club itself. He was known for his irrepressible spirit, his toughness, his will to win and attack on the ball.
One of only four players at the Club to win the Brownlow Medal, his undoubted courage displayed in the 1989 premiership will live forever in the hearts of his devoted Hawk supporters.
Robert DiPierdomenico