At the start of this year, following 20 seasons of AFL football in the 2000s, we asked you to help us come up with the Tigers’ Team of the 21st Century so far. We put together a squad of 40 players from which we wanted you to select your best 22. To assist with the selection process, we also provided a profile and statistical analysis of each squad member. Only players that had appeared in a minimum of 50 games at senior level with Richmond during the 2000s were considered eligible for selection. After collating all the line-ups you compiled, the Tigers’ Team of the 21st Century is complete. We’re now announcing one player per day, in positional order from the backline, until all 22 are revealed. Today, we focus on the side’s full-back – Darren Gaspar. 

Darren Gaspar

On-field position: Full-back

Games in the 2000s (2000-07): 124

Goals: 14

Playing honours/achievements: Jack Dyer Medallist in 2001, All-Australian representative in 2000 and 2001

Top 10 finishes in Jack Dyer Medal: Five – 2nd in 2000, 1st in 2001, 10th in 2002, 9th in 2003, 4th in 2005

HIGHLIGHTS Watch the best of Team of the 21st Century full-back, Darren Gaspar

Richmond AFL career averages

Kicks: 6.3

Handballs: 4.4

Disposals: 10.7

Marks: 3.5

Contested possessions: 4.4

Uncontested possessions: 6.2

Tackles: 1.4

One-percenters: 2.9

Comment: Earned a fine reputation throughout his playing days at Richmond as one of the competition’s best key defenders. Had the mental toughness, discipline and composure to cope with the pressure-cooker environment of playing deep in defence on the opposition’s most dangerous key forwards – the likes of Lockett, Dunstall and Carey. With his pace and agility, he also was able to play on, and quell, the best slick, quick small forwards going around.