AFL: Stratton, Puopolo call end to stellar Hawks careers

Hawthorn skipper Ben Stratton and fellow three-time premiership player Paul Puopolo say they’ll both finish up with their bodies “still intact” after announcing their retirements.

Hawks veteran Ben Stratton will finish as a one-club player

Hawthorn skipper Ben Stratton and fellow three-time premiership player Paul Puopolo say they’ll both finish up with their bodies “still intact” after announcing their retirements on Monday.

Both were set to finish their illustrious careers as one-club players, with the pair playing in the Hawks’ premiership three-peat from 2013 to 2015.

Stratton, 31, who has played 201 games for the Hawks and became captain in 2019, said the decision had been a long time coming.

“Probably a lot of thinking over the past month or so, maybe even longer,” Stratton said.

“And once I started thinking about it, it’s a bit of a sign it’s probably time.

“My body’s still intact a little bit and I never wanted to play until my body was absolutely cooked.

“It seems like the right time and I’m more excited about what’s ahead with myself and (my fiancée) Laura.”

Hawthorn’s Paul Puopolo will get a farewell game

Puopolo, 32, has not played since Round 4, but both players will receive a farewell game on Sunday against Gold Coast.

Puopolo, who has played 194 games, said he also felt he had more left in the tank.

“I feel like I could probably give a little bit more but with the circumstances of where the club is heading, taking the spot from a young kid to develop probably didn’t sit well with me,” he said.

“I’d rather have for the club to succeed and go to the next spot rather than me trying to hang onto my career a little bit more.

“I felt like this year’s been a bit harder and mentally it got a bit tougher not playing footy and it felt like it was time for me to move on.”

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Coach Alastair Clarkson on Monday paid tribute to the contributions of both players.

“Stratts and Poppy are exceptional examples of Hawthorn people, each with an incredible work ethic and each highly respected among our playing group and within our club,” Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said.

“Stratts is the sort of guy you want beside you when you go into battle. He is relentless, selfless and will never stop competing.

“Poppy is an incredibly resilient player and person. He came to us as a defender and leaves the game a master of the pressure forward role.

“For most of his career, Poppy was always the first name selected in the side each week because you could never doubt the intensity, energy and pressure he would bring to the game.”

Herald Sun