Robert DiPierdomenico
Encyclopedia
Robert "Dipper" DiPierdomenico (born 5 May 1958) is a former Australian rules football
er 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.
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 5 night premierships with one of the most successful eras of domination a club has ever seen.
DiPierdomenico was initially assigned guernsey number #53, but subsequently wore number #9.
He was known for his toughness (which led to many trips to the Tribunal), and the moustachioed Dipper was one of the much-loved, and most media-covered characters in the VFL
during the 1980s.
DiPierdomenico somehow managed to avoid the Tribunal in 1986 to win the Brownlow Medal
, tying with Greg Williams, who was playing for Sydney
at the time. Later in the week, he would win his third Premiership medallion as the Hawks defeated Carlton by 42 points.
Late in the first quarter of the 1989 VFL Grand Final
, DiPierdomenico was running backwards to take a mark when he was met solidly from behind by Geelong
star Gary Ablett. The force of the collision broke several of DiPierdomenico's ribs and punctured one of his lungs. Despite the pain and unaware of the extent of the damage, DiPierdomenico continued to play until the final siren. Typically, he featured among Hawthorn's best players and also got reported. He collapsed shortly after the game and was rushed to the casualty ward of St. Vincent's Hospital
, where doctors found out that Dipper had punctured a lung. He recounted the gravity of the situation years later:
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
and Adrian Barich
, 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!".
In 2010, he was stood down from his role in the Auskick
junior development program after making a racist remark regarding Gavin Wanganeen
.
He coached the Peres Team for Peace (Israel
-Palestinian Territories
) in the 2008 Australian Football International Cup
.
Robert also made a cameo in Neighbours
in 1999.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er 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
Australian Football Hall of Fame
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators. It was initially established...
in 2007.
AFL career
Beginning his career with the Hawthorn Football ClubHawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
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
1978 VFL Grand Final
The 1978 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Hawthorn Football Club and North Melbourne Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 30 September 1978. It was the 82nd annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to...
. He went on to play 240 games and kick 130 goals with the Hawks
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
, retiring in 1991, including 5 day and 5 night premierships with one of the most successful eras of domination a club has ever seen.
DiPierdomenico was initially assigned guernsey number #53, but subsequently wore number #9.
He was known for his toughness (which led to many trips to the Tribunal), and the moustachioed Dipper was one of the much-loved, and most media-covered characters in the VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
during the 1980s.
DiPierdomenico somehow managed to avoid the Tribunal in 1986 to win the Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
, tying with Greg Williams, who was playing for Sydney
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
at the time. Later in the week, he would win his third Premiership medallion as the Hawks defeated Carlton by 42 points.
Late in the first quarter of the 1989 VFL Grand Final
1989 VFL Grand Final
The 1989 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Hawthorn Football Club and the Geelong Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 30 September 1989. It was the 93rd annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine...
, DiPierdomenico was running backwards to take a mark when he was met solidly from behind by Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
star Gary Ablett. The force of the collision broke several of DiPierdomenico's ribs and punctured one of his lungs. Despite the pain and unaware of the extent of the damage, DiPierdomenico continued to play until the final siren. Typically, he featured among Hawthorn's best players and also got reported. He collapsed shortly after the game and was rushed to the casualty ward of St. Vincent's Hospital
St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne
St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne is the major hospital in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia.It is operated by the St Vincent's Health service, previously known as the Sisters of Charity Health Service, Melbourne...
, where doctors found out that Dipper had punctured a lung. He recounted the gravity of the situation years later:
"By this time I'd been shifted into intensive care. The doctor came in and said if they didn't gag me I was gone... So there you are. I had eight days in hospital to think about what might have happened. To tell you the truth, it scared me."
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
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
. After Seven lost the rights to broadcast AFL in 2001, Dipper continued his tradition as a boundary-rider on radio station 3AW
3AW
3AW is a talkback radio station in Melbourne, Australia on 693 kHz AM. It began transmission on 22 February 1932 as Melbourne's fifth commercial radio station.-History:...
.
In the 1990s, Dipper made an appearance, along with Dermott Brereton
Dermott Brereton
Dermott Hugh Brereton is a former Australian rules football player in the Australian Football League, regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation. Of Irish descent , he is known for his aggressive style of play. Brereton kicked 464 goals and played in five Premierships for during...
and Adrian Barich
Adrian Barich
Adrian "Barra" Barich is a sports presenter for television and radio, and a former Australian rules footballer and rugby league player...
, in a charity rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
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
Jenny Craig
Jenny Craig is an American weight loss guru and founder of Jenny Craig, Inc. Craig was raised in New Orleans and married Sidney Harvey Craig in 1979. In 1983, she and her husband created a nutrition, fitness, and weight loss program in Australia...
, Fasta Pasta
Fasta Pasta
Fasta Pasta is an Australian pasta restaurant chain, operating 36 sites throughout Victoria, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. Jim Rinaldi, along with 6 other partners founded Fasta Pasta.- External links :* *...
, and most famously, his long association with Dimmeys & Forges in which his catchphrase in television and radio commercials is "Be there!" and "$9.99!".
In 2010, he was stood down from his role in the Auskick
Auskick
Auskick is a national program in Australia to develop and promote participation in Australian rules football by children. It has proven to be popular with both boys and girls....
junior development program after making a racist remark regarding Gavin Wanganeen
Gavin Wanganeen
Gavin Adrian Wanganeen is a retired Australian rules footballer, playing in two Australian Football League premierships with Essendon and Port Adelaide. Wanganeen is a Brownlow Medallist and is considered one of the finest indigenous players ever...
.
He coached the Peres Team for Peace (Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
-Palestinian Territories
Palestinian territories
The Palestinian territories comprise the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Since the Palestinian Declaration of Independence in 1988, the region is today recognized by three-quarters of the world's countries as the State of Palestine or simply Palestine, although this status is not recognized by the...
) in the 2008 Australian Football International Cup
2008 Australian Football International Cup
The 2008 Australian Football International Cup was the third time the Australian Football International Cup, an international Australian rules football competition, has been contested....
.
Robert also made a cameo in Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
in 1999.
Career highlights
- Brownlow MedalBrownlow MedalThe Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
1986 (tie) - Australian Football Hall of FameAustralian Football Hall of FameThe Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators. It was initially established...
2007 - VFL/AFL Italian Team of the Century