Paul Puopolo (born 2 December 1987) is an Australian rules footballer with the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Puopolo made his debut for Norwood in 2007 and started out as a small forward/midfielder. Puopolo, who hails from the Hope Valley, South Australia quickly built a reputation as the South Australian National Football League's best lockdown small defender. He was converted from into a defender by former Norwood coach Trevor Hill in 2008. Despite his lack of height, he has always had the strength and speed to counter his rivals. In 2008 he was a SANFL Coca Cola Star Search Award Nominee. By the time he got drafted by Hawthorn at the end of 2010 he had played 68 senior games and kicked 13 goals for the Redlegs.
Puopolo made his debut for the Hawks in Round 7 of the 2011 AFL season against Port Adelaide. He is the AFL's ninth shortest player, standing at 173 cm. In his debut game, Puopolo had a reasonable performance, having nine kicks, six handballs and laying two tackles. He showed signs of being a tough-no-nonsense player. He has since flourished in what has become a permanent role in the Hawks' back pocket position.
Hawthorn's Paul Puopolo interview with Mike Sheahan (Rd.20, 2014)
Hawk Paul Puopolo's amazing chase, tackle and smother against North Melbourne (Rd.5, 2013)
Paul Puopolo's big mark against the Cats (Rd.1 2015) - Quad Call
Paul Puopolo Epic Pressure 2013 GF
What drives Paul Puopolo
Hawthorn's Paul Puopolo takes a screamer (Rd.20, 2014)
Hawthorn's Paul Puopolo on the Marngrook Footy Show - Round 21, 2012
AFL Mark of the Year - Paul Puopolo, Round 14, 2014
Paul Puopolo - AFL Mark of the Year - Round 20
Puopolo kicks 5 goals against Port Adelaide (Round 20, 2012)
AFL Essendon v Hawthorn Rd. 2 2014 - Paul Puopolo and Shaun Burgoyne magic
Paul Puopolo extends his contract - Hawks Seven in Seven Day:6
Paul Puopolo kicks a great goal against Melbourne (Round 10, 2013)
Paul Puopolo Mark Of The Year Contender round 20 2014
Hawthorn's Paul Puopolo interview with Mike Sheahan (Rd.20, 2014)
Hawk Paul Puopolo's amazing chase, tackle and smother against North Melbourne (Rd.5, 2013)
Paul Puopolo's big mark against the Cats (Rd.1 2015) - Quad Call
Paul Puopolo Epic Pressure 2013 GF
What drives Paul Puopolo
Hawthorn's Paul Puopolo takes a screamer (Rd.20, 2014)
Hawthorn's Paul Puopolo on the Marngrook Footy Show - Round 21, 2012
AFL Mark of the Year - Paul Puopolo, Round 14, 2014
Paul Puopolo - AFL Mark of the Year - Round 20
Puopolo kicks 5 goals against Port Adelaide (Round 20, 2012)
AFL Essendon v Hawthorn Rd. 2 2014 - Paul Puopolo and Shaun Burgoyne magic
Paul Puopolo extends his contract - Hawks Seven in Seven Day:6
Paul Puopolo kicks a great goal against Melbourne (Round 10, 2013)
Paul Puopolo Mark Of The Year Contender round 20 2014
Paul Puopolo's huge mark against Geelong Rd 1 2015
Hawk Paul Puopolo takes a spectacular mark against Collingwood - Round 17, 2012
Paul Puopolo takes a great mark against Collingwood (Rd 14, 2014)
Paul Puopolo flies high and takes a specky vs Collingwood 2012
Paul Puopolo, Highmark on ROI
Paul Puopolo of Highmark on new business
Paul Puopolo, Highmark on teledermatology
Paul Puopolo's 60th Birthday
Injury ends Puopolo's day - AFL
Interviews with Hawthorn players after their 2014 Grand Final win
Gibbo's Gauntlet Ep2 - Josh Gibson talks with Hawthorn players (17 May 2013)
Puopolo splits the pins - AFL
Puopolo perfection - AFL
Rnd23 Match-day: Puopolo
Ellis and Puopolo on Kokoda