TRIPLE-premiership Hawk Paul Puopolo knows what it takes to become a consistent player in a quality team.

Puopolo was in a Grand Final before his 50th game but he only became the real deal in 2013 when he began performing on the biggest of stages.

He knows that each step provided him with a lesson.

That's why he is rapt so many young players have embarked on the Hawks' steep learning curve so early in the season.

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"It is very important we get these guys experience because… now these guys have to step up and play their role," Puopolo told AFL.com.au. 

"This is when they get [to experience] a big learning curve with time on the ground."

Having perfected the role of the harassing, small forward who puts pressure on the opposition from start to finish, he knows what can be achieved with a singular focus to support talented teammates.

Whether he flies for a mark to bring the ball to ground, lands a tackle or merely forces an opponent to rush his disposal, Puopolo's only intent is to help his team.

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He has been remarkably consistent, playing 20 games or more in five successive seasons.

But you never hear him claim credit for his success.

It's always due to the actions of others.

It's why he only agrees to the importance of Jonathon Ceglar to the team after praising the previous week's effort by first-gamer Marc Pittonet.

And it's why he finds a reason why James Sicily was such an improver after a quiet Easter Monday.

"When you have guys using the ball really well, it makes it a lot easier for the forwards to get used and he [Sicily] is the type of forward that is a marking forward," Puopolo said.  

"If you're not delivering the ball, you make it pretty hard for him."