The Big Dipper   http://www.afl.com.au 27 November, 2002   These days people know ‘Dipper’ as the loveable larrikin with the big moustache who pops up on TV and radio across Australia – but in his football heyday, Robert DiPierdomenico was a fearsome wingman with the heart of a lion. His football achievements are recognised with the 11th nomination for the Hawthorn Hall of Fame. Recruited from North Kew, Dipper arrived at Glenferrie as a skinny 17-year old in 1975, and although he played senior football in his first year with Hawthorn it wasn’t until the early 1980s that he really began to make a name for himself. In many ways, Dipper represented the essence of Hawthorn – he was the battler who made good and as such echoed Hawthorn’s own struggle for success. Tall, tough and aggressive, Dipper was an unusual wingman – but his ferocity was unrivalled and he became a major stumbling block for teams carrying the ball through the midfield. Dipper played for Hawthorn during the club’s most successful era and was a member of the 1978, ‘83, ‘86, ’88 and ’89 premiership teams. His teammates – players the calibre of Jason Dunstall, John Platten and Gary Ayres – were stars in their own right, and it is testament to Dipper’s talent that he rose to become one of Hawthorn’s greatest legends. In 1986, the wild-haired wingman tied with the Swans’ Greg Williams for the Brownlow Medal, but was unable to pinch the Club Champion Award from Hall of Fame nominee, Gary Ayres. A favourite with the fans, Dipper was a big-game player – and there is no better example than the 1989 Grand Final. Many heroes were born that day, but Dipper’s effort was unsurpassed after he played on with a punctured lung to help keep the flag at Glenferrie. Dipper finished his glorious career with the Hawks in 1991, Hawthorn’s last premiership year. He hung up the boots after 240 AFL matches and 130 goals to his name, as well as six state guernseys.

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