Hawks prepare for life without Cyril Rioli with Paul Puopolo signing on for 2019 season
HAWTHORN may have admitted to some uncertainty over captain Jarryd Roughead’s future but the club has handed pressure star Paul Puopolo another deal ahead of Thursday’s qualifying final.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HAWTHORN has handed pressuring forward Paul Puopolo a contract extension as it pushes for premiership success in the post-Cyril Rioli era.
Hawthorn football boss Graham Wright confirmed to the Herald Sun that Puopolo had been locked away for another season.
Triple premiership forward Puopolo, 31 in December, remains one of the game’s great pressure forwards in an era where locking the ball inside 50 is often the key to victory.
DEPTH CHART: EACH FINALIST’S BOTTOM SIX
FOOTY SHOW FEUD: EDDIE v BARRETT
While a mid-season hamstring strain curtailed an exceptional season he remains in strong form ahead of the Hawks qualifying final against Richmond.
Puopolo is fresh from three goals in the victory that locked in a top-four position and has kicked 19 goals in 18 games so far this year as one of the AFL’s top three pressuring forwards.
“Paul has been a vital part of our side for a number of years now and we love the intensity he brings to the team,” Wright said.
“Poppy works as hard defensively as he does offensively, and that pressure is what makes him such an important player for us.
“Regardless of the opponent or game, you always know Poppy’s work rate will be there and we’re very happy to have him continue on in the brown and gold for season 2019.”
The Hawks have already handed evergreen utility Shaun Burgoyne a one-season deal after continued excellence despite turning 36 in October.
There remains some uncertainty about the future of captain Jarryd Roughead but he seems more likely to serve out his contract at Hawthorn than to accept an overture from a rival club next year.
Rioli has retired to move back to Darwin despite being contracted, with 197cm Irishman Conor Nash becoming an unlikely pressure forward alongside him and Luke Breust with his bone-jarring tackles.
Hawthorn remains active in the trade market and has been linked to Dylan Shiel, Chad Wingard and Gold Coast captain Tom Lynch.
But Puopolo remains as valuable as ever for the Hawks ahead of Thursday night’s qualifying final against the Tigers.
The forecast is for 4-10mm of rain on the night and potential thunderstorms, meaning a small forward of his ability will be critical to the game’s fortunes.
The Hawks have locked away most of their key stars but need to make decisions on Brendan Whitecross, Ricky Henderson, Ryan Schoenmakers and Taylor Duryea.
Originally published as Hawks prepare for life without Cyril Rioli with Paul Puopolo signing on for 2019 season