THE NARRATIVE is an issues-oriented show that discusses and at times exposes controversial issues of the day. Today on THE NARRATIVE we talk to AFL great and Melbourne Businessman Paul Dimattina.
Paul is a prominent Melbourne restaurateur, and strong critic of Premier Dan Andrew’s Covid-19 shutdowns which shattered Melbourne’s hospitality industry.
The son of former Richmond rover Frank Dimattina, Paul Dimattina played for Richmond at Under 19 level as a 16 year in 1991 and was drafted by them with the final selection in the 1991 AFL draft. He played reserves football for them in 1992 but did not play an AFL game for Richmond. During 1993 and 1994 he played for Victorian Football Association (VFA) team Sandringham, as well as some games for the Carlton and Essendon reserves teams. Drafted by the Footscray Football Club (later Western Bulldogs) with the 26th selection in the 1995 Pre-season draft, Dimattina made his AFL debut late in the 1995 season.
Paul was a high possession winner for the Bulldogs throughout his career. He played 131 games for the Bulldogs until he was delisted at the end of the 2003 season.
In 2005, Paul Dimattina moved to the Gold Coast, Queensland, where he played with the Southport Sharks. He scored six goals and best afield in the Queensland State League Grand Final before retiring from the Sharks and returning to Melbourne.
Following his football career, Paul Dimattina became involved in the hospitality industry. He and his family have owned and and run many restaurants and are involved in the coffee business – Dimattina’s and Il Gambiro restaurants in Lygon Street, Carlton, Society Restaurant in Melbourne City, the Blue Train cafe at Southgate in Southbank as well as two restaurants on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
