GROWING up with a long European name in suburban 1970s Australia presented challenges for Robert DiPierdomenico.

But ‘Dipper’ says excelling at football helped him gain acceptance to a society that was struggling to adapt to multiculturalism.

“It was a bit tough in the early days. They’d pick on me because of my long name but I’m glad those days have changed,” Dipper said.

The 1986 Brownlow medallist said having an Italian surname helped him stand out from the crowd as well as introduce migrants to the Australian game.

“When you play the game you don’t realise what you’re doing for your culture. When you are an Italian player out there, you represent the Italian community. I know Mum and Dad are very proud of it and it made their life a bit easier because they would be recognised as Dipper’s mum and dad,” he said.

“People would come up to me and tell me how proud they were of me. I mean all I did was play footy, I’m not a heart surgeon, but it’s amazing these things you can change.”

Dipper’s weekends as a kid were filled with footy as he juggled commitments with North Kew juniors, Kew Amateurs and school football with Kew High. He said football provided him many happy memories.

"It was my childhood...sport was what I loved doing, I’ve always been a very hyperactive type of guy. I was always moving around and I’d get myself into a bit of strife in class because of that.”

It’s easy to imagine a nipper Dipper jumping around the classroom, talking at a million miles an hour just as it’s easy imagining him as king of the kids in the playground.

“Back in those days we’d always have a bit of a kick at lunch and try to impress the girls. Everyone used to have a footy in their hand. The older you get, you get more mature about the game but basically it is just fun to kick the footy around.”