The Hawthorn Football Club has confirmed that premiership hero Paul Dear lost his brave fight with pancreatic cancer late on Friday night at the age of 55.
Dear's relationship with the Hawks began ahead of the 1987 VFL season when he joined older brother Greg at Glenferrie Oval.
While unable to break into the star-studded premiership sides led by Allan Jeans and Alan Joyce during the back end of the club's golden era, Dear played his career's greatest hand in the 1991 grand final, claiming the Norm Smith Medal after racking up 26 disposals and slotting a pair of goals in the Hawks' runaway win over the Eagles.
The Latrobe Valley native's league tenure came to a conclusion at the cessation of the 1996 season following 123 appearances and 80 majors in brown and gold bars.
Within a statement released by the Bungil Bagora club, Dear was described as "a loving husband and proud father to four children he adored immensely."
Following his days in boots, Dear took up several posts leading country football sides before being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in September of 2020.
Despite the tragic diagnosis, the former undersized ruck continued to demonstrate his trademark determination, raising both awareness and funds for those afflicted with similar concerns.
Dear and his family kickstarted the Dare To Hope campaign as a means to continue his strident work and continue offering aid within the community.
As stated by Hawthorn, the club has announced that their Round 18 clash against West Coast at the MCG next Sunday will become dedicated to Dear, with efforts setup to generate further financial rewards for the Dare to Hope: Paul Dear Pancreatic Cancer Fund.
Dear is survived by his wife, Cherie, two sons, Harry and Nate, and two daughters, Maya and Calsher.
