The death of Paul Dear at the age of 55 has been felt throughout the football world.

Paul etched his name in football history when was awarded the Norm Smith Medal as best afield in Hawthorn’s 1991 Grand Final win over West Coast.

His playing career at Hawthorn finished in 1996. In 2000 he came to St Kilda as ruck coach under Tim Watson.

Former Saint David Sierakowski was one who benefitted under Paul Dear’s guidance.

“I had played against him a couple of times and he was uncompromising in his approach. When he was our ruck coach I was spending a lot more time in the ruck. He knew where to stand in the ruck and was very tactical though the centre.

“He was very good at setting up at boundary throw ins and stoppages around the ground.”  

David Sierakowski and Paul Dear had parallels as “smaller” ruckmen who had to use their hips and strong legs to contest against taller opponents.

“I was very sorry to hear of Paul’s death, and I knew he had been ill for a long time. Only a week ago I had watched a YouTube story about his battle.”