Signing on for a tenth season in October, forward pocket Paul Puopolo begun to struggle as age appeared to have its way. The mature-aged selection dropped below a goal per game for the first time in five seasons, goalless on 16 occasions. A vital cog in the ever-evolving Hawthorn forward line, Puopolo is likely to again lead pressure indicators as the first line of the club's defence, especially in the absence of Cyril Rioli. Never a desirable fantasy option and is now waning in output.
Poppy wilts with age
Signing on for a tenth season in October, forward pocket Paul Puopolo begun to struggle as age appeared to have its way. The mature-aged selection dropped below a goal per game for the first time in five seasons, goalless on 16 occasions. A vital cog in the ever-evolving Hawthorn forward line, Puopolo is likely to again lead pressure indicators as the first line of the club's defence, especially in the absence of Cyril Rioli. Never a desirable fantasy option and is now waning in output.
Age shall weary Poppy
A three-time premiership player, Paul Puopolo managed to play the final 16 games consecutively and earn himself another season on the senior list. Revered for his forward 50 pressure, Puopolo has had to adapt his performance in line with a spate of hamstring and quadricep injuries. Subsequently the former construction worker declined in tackles and goals per game. Now in the twilight of his career, Poppy will provide on-field leadership to a team splattered with youth. Following the departure of Cyril Rioli, the Hawks will depend on the small forward to perform once more, struggling with depth in the pocket role. If fantasy points were awarded for effort Puopolo would be captain-worthy, but alas this is not the case.
Short Poppy syndrome
Pint-sized Paul Puopolo missed a large chunk of 2017 with an adductor injury, and survived an off-season bid by Chris Fagan’s rebuilding Lions. His disposal output dropped to a five-year low and there were no successful attempts to take mark of the year as he posted the worst mark tally of his career. Remarkably the small forward increased his tackle count to nearly six per game, an outstanding result for a player entering his thirties. An injury-free Cyril Rioli only helps Puopolo to pressure the rebounders, a facet of the game Hawthorn has dropped away in since the premiership years. Having entered the senior competition as a mature age player at 24, the former labourer may decline a little later on than pundits have come to expect. However, a return to the playing field will still be of limited use to draft sides and thus he fails to warrant selection.
