CURTAIN CALL
BEN STRATTON HAWTHORN
GAMES 202 GOALS 2 IMPACT: Drafted by the Hawks as a mature-aged defender from East Fremantle, Stratton went on to a storied career in the brown and gold that included three premierships from 2013-15 and, in his final two seasons, the club captaincy. Rangy and athletic, Stratton’s fierce competitiveness, his ability to read the play and his versatility, which allowed him to play tall and small (he regularly had the better of Eddie Betts) made him a defensive weapon for the Hawks. He will be forever remembered for a match-saving tackle on Patrick Dangerfield in the dying seconds of the 2012 preliminary final and some key intercept marks a year later as Geelong was surging late in the 2013 preliminary final. Was hugely popular with teammates and was unchallenged as the master of the pre-game music mix.
ASHLEY BROWNE
QUOTE: “I’ve done a lot of thinking over the last month and once you do it’s probably time (to retire). My body is still intact ... but now seems like the right time. I’m very excited about what lies ahead. I can’t have forecast the success I had and was so fortunate to land at Hawthorn with all those great people around me.”
LYNDEN DUNN MELBOURNE/ COLLINGWOOD
GAMES 198 (Melb 165, Coll 33) GOALS 99 (Melb 97, Coll 2) IMPACT: A popular figure at two clubs, Dunn squeezed every bit out of himself over a 14-year career. He was recruited by Melbourne with pick 15 in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft, but didn’t make his AFL debut until round six, 2006. He played 165 games for the Demons before being traded to Collingwood at the end of the 2016 season. Not the most gifted player, but there was no more determined figure. His career was dealt a cruel blow in 2018 when he was on track to play finals for the first time but ruptured his ACL in round 15. Reinjured the same knee in 2019 and didn’t play. Was delisted but picked up as a supplementary selection earlier this year and played two games. MICHAEL LOVETT QUOTE: “They (Dunn and delisted Pies Tim Broomhead and Matthew Scharenberg) have been a big part of our story and I trust we will always be a proud part of theirs.” – Collingwood GM of Football Geoff Walsh
PAUL PUOPOLO HAWTHORN
GAMES 196 GOALS 185 IMPACT: Another of Hawthorn’s mature-age draft successes, he arrived as a fourth-round selection in 2011 from Norwood, and was originally pencilled in as an old-style nuggety half-back. But in 2012 he became one of the first of a new breed of small forwards whose defensive acts such as tackles, smothers and knock-ons were as valuable to the team as goals kicked. He and Cyril Rioli terrorised opposing backlines for pleasure. Over time, Puopolo became an attacking weapon himself and knew how to find the goals and take the occasional speccy as well. The player who was overlooked for several drafts and was contemplating life as a labourer, instead retired as a three-time premiership player and an integral part of one of the greatest teams ever.
ASHLEY BROWNE
QUOTE: “I feel like I could probably give a little more, but looking at the circumstances of where the club is heading, I’d be taking a spot for a young kid who’s trying to develop and that didn’t sit well with me. I’m pinching myself at the career I’ve had.” AFL.com.au AFL RECORD 113
ARGF p110-116 Farewells.indd 113
16/10/20 2:58 pm