Australian Football

One of the most colourful football personalities of recent years, Robert DiPierdomenico's often outrageously larger than life demeanour sometimes obscured the fact that he was also a fine footballer. Heftily built at 185cm and 93kg, 'Dipper' played most of his career as a wingman, utilising his naturally aggressive instincts to excellent effect. 

DiPierdomenico made his Hawthorn debut in 1975, but then spent a couple of years in the reserves before coming good in 1978. In that year's winning Grand Final against North Melbourne, playing a classic rebound role across half back, he was many observers' choice as best afield. He went on to play key roles in further premiership victories in 1983, 1986, 1988 and 1989. In 1986 he was a surprise joint winner, along with Sydney's Greg Williams, of the Brownlow Medal, his proudest moment in football until the 1989 Grand Final, in which he contributed enormously to the Hawks' win over Geelong despite suffering from a punctured lung.

In 2003, Robert DiPierdomenico was chosen on a wing in Hawthorn's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

Author - John Devaney