Robert DiPierdomenico

Infobox afl player


image capt="Dipper" coaching the Peres Team for Peace in the 2008 International Cup
firstname = Robert
lastname = DiPierdomenico


| birthdate = Birth date and age|1958|5|5|df=y
birthplace =
originalteam =
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = 1975
debutteam = Hawthorn
debutopponent =
debutstadium =
playingteams = Hawthorn (1975-1991)240 games, 130 Goals
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = 1991
careerhighlights =

* Brownlow Medal 1986 (tie)
* Australian Football Hall of Fame 2007
* VFL-AFL Italian Team of the Century

Robert "Dipper" DiPierdomenico (born 5 May 1958) is a former Australian rules footballer in the VFL/AFL of Italian descent and a member of the VFL-AFL Italian Team of the Century.

Dipper was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

VFL/AFL career

Beginning his career with the Hawthorn Football Club in 1975, DiPierdomenico, or the "Big Dipper" as he is affectionately known, kick-started his career in 1978, culminating in a best-on-ground performance in the 1978 VFL Grand Final. He went on to play 240 games and kick 130 goals with the Hawks, retiring in 1991, including 5 day and 4 night premierships with one of the most successful eras of domination a club has ever seen.

He was known for his toughness (which led to many trips to the Tribunal), and the moustachioued Dipper was one of the much-loved characters in the VFL.

DiPierdomenico won a Brownlow Medal in 1986, tying with Greg Williams.

In the 1989 Grand Final against Geelong Football Club, a collision with Gary Ablett broke several of Dipper's ribs and punctured his lung. Dipper played unaware before finally collapsing at the end of the game. He was sent to hospital where his injury was diagnosed.

Media career

Dipper has long been known for big persona, including his always smiling and jovial personality.

After he retired, he became a popular media personality, as a boundary rider with the Seven Network. After Seven lost the rights to broadcast AFL in 2001, Dipper continued his tradition as a boundary-rider on radio station 3AW.

In the 1990s, Dipper made an appearance, along with Dermott Brereton, in a charity rugby league match and scored a try, and in typical comedian style dived over the line like superman to celebrate.

Dipper has appeared on advertising campaigns for Jenny Craig, Fasta Pasta, and most famously, his long association with Dimmeys & Forges in which his catchphrase in television and radio commercials is "Be there!" and "$9.99!".

He is currently an ambassador for the AFL's Auskick junior development program and is popular with Australian children due to his presence as a "cartoon character".

Bibliography

*Butler, Ben and Craig Binnie (2007). "Dipper's Big Tax Bill Nightmare." "Herald Sun". September 5.
*Cometti, Dennis (2004). "Centimetre Perfect". London: Allen and Unwin.
*(1991). "Dipper Decides to Call it Quits." "The Advertiser". October 4.
*Edwards, Mike (2007). "Time of the essence for kids, says Dipper." "Herald Sun". August 13.
*Kartal, Y (1992). "The club a party to Dipper's debut." "Northern Territory News". June 7.