Darren Gaspar (/ɡəˈspɑːr/ gə-SPAR;[citation needed] 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 (age 48)
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

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Sydney Swans career (1994–1995)

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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)

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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

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[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 20 5 0 0 31 23 54 17 10 0.0 0.0 6.2 4.6 10.8 3.4 2.0 0
1995 Sydney 20 16 1 1 91 66 157 31 21 0.1 0.1 5.7 4.1 9.8 1.9 1.3 0
1996 Richmond 2 20 1 0 143 97 240 48 32 0.1 0.0 7.2 4.9 12.0 2.4 1.6 0
1997 Richmond 2 21 0 1 164 135 299 73 34 0.0 0.0 7.8 6.4 14.2 3.5 1.6 12
1998 Richmond 2 21 5 3 128 164 292 73 32 0.2 0.1 6.1 7.8 13.9 3.5 1.5 7
1999 Richmond 2 21 2 0 100 98 198 43 20 0.1 0.0 4.8 4.7 9.4 2.0 1.0 2
2000 Richmond 2 17 3 2 114 78 192 53 18 0.2 0.1 6.7 4.6 11.3 3.1 1.1 5
2001 Richmond 2 25 1 1 178 132 310 104 30 0.0 0.0 7.1 5.3 12.4 4.2 1.2 6
2002 Richmond 2 19 2 1 139 102 241 72 17 0.1 0.1 7.3 5.4 12.7 3.8 0.9 0
2003 Richmond 2 11 2 0 60 50 110 38 14 0.2 0.0 5.5 4.5 10.0 3.5 1.3 0
2004 Richmond 2 19 5 1 99 64 163 56 24 0.3 0.1 5.2 3.4 8.6 2.9 1.3 0
2005 Richmond 2 20 1 0 138 92 230 79 11 0.1 0.0 6.9 4.6 11.5 4.0 0.6 1
2006 Richmond 2 8 0 0 29 34 63 19 19 0.0 0.0 3.6 4.3 7.9 2.4 2.4 0
2007 Richmond 2 5 0 0 31 27 58 21 13 0.0 0.0 6.2 5.4 11.6 4.2 2.6 0
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

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

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

References

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  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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