Darren Gaspar

Darren Gaspar (/ɡəˈspɑːr/ gə-SPAR; born 20 May 1976) is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Darren Gaspar
Personal information
Date of birth (1976-05-20) 20 May 1976
Original team(s) South Fremantle (WAFL)
Debut 10 April 1994, Sydney vs. Adelaide, at the SCG
Height 193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight 90 kg (198 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1994–1995 Sydney 021 0(1)
1996–2007 Richmond 207 (22)
Total 228 (23)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2007.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

AFL career

Sydney Swans career (1994–1995)

Gaspar was drafted with the first pick in the 1993 National Draft by the Sydney Swans. He debuted against the Adelaide Crows in round three of the 1994 AFL season and injured his medial ligament in the third quarter, which resulted in him playing only five games for the year.

After only two seasons with the Swans, he turned down a one-year deal and moved to the Richmond Football Club via the 1996 Pre-season Draft.

Richmond career (1996–2007)

Robert Walls was influential in getting Gaspar to Richmond and he provided the emerging full-back with vital experience, playing him on Jason Dunstall and Tony Lockett in his first few games with the club.

His consistency saw him hold down the full-back position for over a decade with the Tigers. He finished runner-up in the Jack Dyer Medal behind Andrew Kellaway[1] and earned All-Australian selection in 2000. Gaspar continued his good form in 2001, winning the Jack Dyer Medal and helping Richmond reach the finals for the first time since the 1995 AFL season.[2] For the second consecutive year, he was named in the All-Australian team. He turned down a lucrative offer from the Fremantle Dockers at the end of the 2001 AFL season and remained at the Tigers.[3]

In 2003, Gaspar was selected as the Australia international rules football team's goalkeeper for the 2001 International Rules Series in Australia. Australia lost the series 2–0, with a 130–105 aggregate score.

Injuries took a toll on him towards the end of his playing career, but he continued to give Richmond valuable service in the back half. At the age of 31 years, Gaspar announced his retirement after the fifth round of the 2007 AFL season, finishing on 228 games, after a disagreement with his coach, Terry Wallace, over his position in the team.[4]

He currently commentates alongside Tim Gossage for SEN, covering West Coast Eagles games at Patersons Stadium.

Statistics
[5]
Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
1994 Sydney 2050031235417100.00.06.24.610.83.42.00
1995 Sydney 201611916615731210.10.15.74.19.81.91.30
1996 Richmond 220101439724048320.10.07.24.912.02.41.60
1997 Richmond 2210116413529973340.00.07.86.414.23.51.612
1998 Richmond 2215312816429273320.20.16.17.813.93.51.57
1999 Richmond 221201009819843200.10.04.84.79.42.01.02
2000 Richmond 217321147819253180.20.16.74.611.33.11.15
2001 Richmond 22511178132310104300.00.07.15.312.44.21.26
2002 Richmond 2192113910224172170.10.17.35.412.73.80.90
2003 Richmond 21120605011038140.20.05.54.510.03.51.30
2004 Richmond 21951996416356240.30.15.23.48.62.91.30
2005 Richmond 220101389223079110.10.06.94.611.54.00.61
2006 Richmond 280029346319190.00.03.64.37.92.42.40
2007 Richmond 250031275821130.00.06.25.411.64.22.60
Career 228 23 10 1445 1162 2607 727 295 0.1 0.0 6.3 5.1 11.4 3.2 1.3 33

Personal life

He is the brother of former AFL players, Damien Gaspar and Travis Gaspar.

Gaspar is also the part-owner of racehorse Roman Arch.

References
  1. Connolly, Rohan; Daffey, Paul (17 September 2000). "Kellaway wins the nod as No. 1 Tiger". The Sunday Age.
  2. Johnson, Len (9 October 2001). "Gaspar wins Dyer medal". The Age.
  3. Rielly, Stephen; Johnson, Len (2 October 2001). "Hefty price to hold Gaspar". The Age.
  4. "Gaspar's career is over". The Australian. AAP. 4 May 2007.
  5. Darren Gaspar's player profile at AFL Tables
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