Robert DiPierdomenico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robert DiPierdomenico |
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"Dipper" coaching the Peres Team for Peace
in the 2008 International Cup |
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Berto DiPierdomenico | ||
| Nickname(s) | Dipper | ||
| Date of birth | 5 May 1958 | ||
| Place of birth | Hawthorn, Victoria | ||
| Original team | North Kew (Vic) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Berto "Robert" DiPierdomenico (born 5 May 1958) is a famous retired Australian rules football player. He played for the Hawthorn Hawks in the Australian Football League (AFL) from the 1970s to the 1990s. People often call him by his nickname, "Dipper". He is known as one of the most successful Italian Australian players in the sport. His great contribution to the game was recognized when he was chosen for the VFL/AFL Italian Team of the Century.
Contents
Dipper's Early Life
Robert DiPierdomenico was born in Hawthorn, Australia. His parents, Stefano and Antonietta, came to Australia from Abbateggio, Italy. They were married over the phone, which was called a "proxy marriage" back then.
As a child, Dipper was very energetic and had a stutter. He went to several schools in the Hawthorn area. At Kew High School, he met his future wife, Cheryl Bayley. He also attended Swinburne Tech, where his headmaster was John Kennedy Senior, who later became his coach at Hawthorn.
Dipper started playing football when he was a young teenager. He played for local teams like East Hawthorn and North Kew. When he was eighteen, he signed with the Hawthorn Football Club. Before playing football, Dipper also enjoyed cricket.
Playing in the AFL
Dipper joined the Hawthorn Football Club in 1975. He had a slow start to his career, playing many games in the reserve team. However, things changed for him in 1978. He played exceptionally well in the 1978 VFL Grand Final, which helped kick-start his career.
He first wore guernsey number #53, but later changed to number #9. Dipper was always seen as one of Hawthorn's top players.
Toughness and Awards
Dipper was famous for being a very tough player on the field. This often led to him appearing before the Tribunal, which is like a court for players. With his famous moustache, Dipper was one of the most popular and talked-about players in the VFL during the 1980s.
In 1986, DiPierdomenico won the Brownlow Medal. This award is given to the "fairest and best" player in the league. He shared the award with Greg Williams, who played for Sydney. Later that same week, Dipper won his third Premiership medal when the Hawks beat Carlton.
The Famous 1989 Grand Final Injury
One of Dipper's most memorable moments happened in the 1989 VFL Grand Final. In the first quarter, he was running backward to catch the ball. He was hit hard from behind by Geelong star Gary Ablett. This powerful hit broke several of Dipper's ribs and punctured one of his lungs.
Even though he was in great pain and didn't know how badly he was hurt, Dipper kept playing until the very end of the game. Hawthorn won the game by just one goal, in what is remembered as one of the most exciting Grand Finals ever.
After the game, Dipper collapsed and was rushed to St. Vincent's Hospital. Doctors discovered his punctured lung. He later said that the situation was very serious and it scared him.
Career Achievements
DiPierdomenico played a total of 240 games for the Hawks and kicked 130 goals. He retired in 1991. During his time with Hawthorn, he was part of five day premierships and four night premierships. This was one of the most successful periods for any club in VFL/AFL history.
Life After Football
After retiring from playing, DiPierdomenico became a popular person in the media. He worked as a boundary rider, reporting from the sidelines during AFL games for the Seven Network. When Seven lost the broadcasting rights in 2001, Dipper continued his role on radio station 3AW. He also worked as an AFL expert for Sky News Australia in the mid-2000s.
In the 1990s, Dipper even played in a charity rugby league match. He scored a try and celebrated in a funny way, diving over the line like Superman.
DiPierdomenico made a brief appearance in the TV show Neighbours in 1999. He also appeared on the weight-loss show Excess Baggage in 2012. Since 2019, he has been hosting a TV series called Dipper's Backyard BBQ Wars.
He also appeared in advertisements for the department store Dimmeys in the 1990s. In 2021, Dipper was a contestant on the TV show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.
Career Highlights
- Brownlow Medal 1986 (tied)
- Inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2007
- Member of the VFL/AFL Italian Team of the Century
