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Hawthorn captain and small forward announce retirement

5 years ago

Hawthorn captain Ben Stratton will retire at the end of the 2020 season, the club announced on Monday.

The 31-year-old has led the club since 2019, taking over from Jarryd Roughead after his retirement in 2018.

Premiership player Paul Puopolo will also hang up the boots following the Hawks’ clash against Gold Coast on Sunday.

Coach Alastair Clarkson paid tribute to the retiring duo, who have both won three premierships in their time at the club.

“(Stratton) and (Puopolo) are exceptional examples of Hawthorn people, each with an incredible work ethic and each highly respected among our playing group and within our club,” Clarkson said in a club statement.

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

“He never fails to take a teammates-first approach and it is these qualities that make him so highly valued amongst his peers and also the broader footy world.

“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.

“Poppy is an amazing example of how far hard work and perseverance can take you in your career.“

Stratton has played 201 games for the club after being taken with pick 46 in the 2009 National Draft, while Paul Puopolo has played 195 games after being plucked with pick 66 in the 2010 National Draft.

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