Position: Tall Defender
Age: 26, turns 27 before round 9
Height: 193
Weight: 90
Career Games: 165 (144 at Richmond)
Career Goals: 15 (14 at Richmond)
Draft History: Select No 1 in 1993 national draft, played two seasons at Sydney before leaving as an uncontracted player. Put a very high price (at the time) of $275,000 for two years on his head, Fitzroy couldn't afford him, Melbourne said no (and accused Richmond of Draft tampering) and Richmond got him at pick 3 in 96 pre-season draft.
2002 Averages from 19 Games: 7.3 Kicks, 3.8 Marks, 5.4 Handballs, 0.11 goals, 0.9 Tackles, 3.3 Rebounds, 0.9 Inside 50s, 0.6 Clearances, 1.4 Clangers
Statistics of interest: Was only involved in only 16 Frees in 2002 (7 for, 9 against) - average of 0.84 per game. Previous years: 2001 49 (31,18) from 25 at 1.9, 2000 26 (17,9) from 17, 1999 42 (23,19) from 21, 1998 42 (32,10) from 22. This was the most noticeable statistical difference for Gaspar from previous good years.
Not real sure as to the why for this - but it did appear that he never made as many contests as he had in the past, and far more often was completely outpointed.
Tackles were also quite a bit down with his worst return per game ever over a season (17 from 19 games), another poor tackle year for him was 1999 (another poor year for him IMHO) although he's never been a big tackler.
Apart from that, statistically he was similar to his B&F years. In fact in most categories he was better than in either 2000 or 2001 - throws an interesting light on stats!
2002 Summary: After 2 All-Australian years - came back to earth with a thud. Only two or three games stood out as high level performances in my memory. Looked way too disinterested at times for a bloke on half a million a year and Round 22 was an embarrassment when at times in my eyes he just didn't try. Seemed far more indecisive this year and will be forever remembered on the highlights real for his middle of the M.C.G. "Pirouette". Was shown up against a number of bigger stronger forwards which showed just how big a loss Holland was. Admittedly there were a number of reasonably good stopping games which would have gone largely unnoticed.
Previously: 2001 averaged 12 possessions, 4 marks and didn't miss a game, won the B&F was All-Australian. 2000 averaged 11.3 disposals, 3.1 Marks from 17 games. 2nd in the B&F, All-Australian for the first time. Only 9.4 disposal and 2 marks a game in 1999 from 21 games in a poor season for him. 13.8 Disposals and 3.5 marks a game from 21 games in 1998 when he showed a lot of dash playing (from memory) predominately off the half back line. Similar to 97 which followed up a pretty decent first year with us in 96 while not outstanding showed as a 20yo that he could live up to the wraps (and price tag) he had on him.
Ability: 6 - Above average footballer, poor foot skills and too frequently goes to ground mark him down. Agility for his size and ability to read the play gives him the credit points.
Offence: 2.5 - Simply has no idea when put forward. Can take a grab up forward but wouldn't want him kicking for my life.
Defence: 8.5. Would be in the top 6 in the comp for man on man defensive capabilities, however increasingly being shown up against the bigger forwards. Still one of the few genuine key defensive players around.
Hardness: 4.5. Below average in my book. Can show courage which gains him a few points, but how often have you seen him lay a strong tackle - a hip and shoulder, bust open a pack. Not his traits, not everyone has these. Worrying aspect this year was three times he missed a single game through injury - seems minor niggles can put him out a bit too easy.
Speed: 4. Pretty good for a guy 193cm, but not outstanding, would like to see him vs Richo with some decent delivery to a lead.
Stamina: 3.5. Too often saw him struggling to see out games last year, bent over, hands on hips. 3.5 may be generous, but I hadn't really questioned this that much in the past.
Delivery: 3. If only he could kick! I love watching Dustin Fletcher kick a ball, I shudder watching Gas.
Air: 5.5 - Above average, not big on the contested mark and does regularly juggle his marks - not a natural one grabber but reasonably clean.
Ground: 2.5 - Poor below his knees, can look lost when the footy hits the turf and too often goes to ground when it's there.
Injury: 6 - Seems to miss regularly with minor niggles lately. 2001 only year he got through a full season, but there's been no real "big ones"
Ruck: 1 - Maybe I'm a bit cruel on this one, as he has won his share of contests in the past, but got memories of some awful attempts against genuine ruckmen at time. Really probably should be a 2 or maybe 3.
Temperament: 5. Average I suppose, nothing from memory to suggest anything too bad, but seeing him drop the head a bit too much.
Ball: 5.5. Slightly above average, can win a reasonable amount of footy, particularly given the position he plays. Actually plays his best footy when he tries to attack the footy and win possession more often (IMHO).
Strengths: Extremely agile for his size, and good evasive skills in traffic. One of the best in the comp at marking his own man particularly when the opponent is of similar size.
Weaknesses: Disposal is poor to say the least, and can be indecisive when he tries to run the ball, has spent far too much of his career lying flat out on the turf while the opposing team scores.
Overall: O.K. time to be flat out honest - if Gas was on 300K a year we'd probably all say it was a slightly below average year but as the highest paid player at the club (I would think) Ga$par should not just be average, he should be outstanding. Personally I think he's vastly over-rated at a time when there are few quality defensive talls going around, and not a hell of a lot of outstanding tall forwards around to exploit them. Lloyd is probably the only real class forward around, with the rest either young up and comers (Brown, Pavlich, Riewolt, Koshinski) or at the end of their careers (Swartz, Carey). For all his good qualities there's some fairly average stuff about Gaspar. Personally I would have traded him to Freo or W.C. if the opportunity had of come around. Has two All-Australians which I actually think came "cheap" and a B&F which was highway robbery.
What he needs to do?
1) Stay on his feet more often in a contest, particularly when the ball hits the deck.
2) Take a $200K a year pay cut or at the least try and prove he deserves it.
3) Pray Holland stays on his feet and that guys like Cameron or Campbell can clear the ball for him.
4) Show a bit more leadership on the field - it was demoralising watching him close up in Sydney - and I think some of his team-mates weren't too impressed either.
Age: 26, turns 27 before round 9
Height: 193
Weight: 90
Career Games: 165 (144 at Richmond)
Career Goals: 15 (14 at Richmond)
Draft History: Select No 1 in 1993 national draft, played two seasons at Sydney before leaving as an uncontracted player. Put a very high price (at the time) of $275,000 for two years on his head, Fitzroy couldn't afford him, Melbourne said no (and accused Richmond of Draft tampering) and Richmond got him at pick 3 in 96 pre-season draft.
2002 Averages from 19 Games: 7.3 Kicks, 3.8 Marks, 5.4 Handballs, 0.11 goals, 0.9 Tackles, 3.3 Rebounds, 0.9 Inside 50s, 0.6 Clearances, 1.4 Clangers
Statistics of interest: Was only involved in only 16 Frees in 2002 (7 for, 9 against) - average of 0.84 per game. Previous years: 2001 49 (31,18) from 25 at 1.9, 2000 26 (17,9) from 17, 1999 42 (23,19) from 21, 1998 42 (32,10) from 22. This was the most noticeable statistical difference for Gaspar from previous good years.
Not real sure as to the why for this - but it did appear that he never made as many contests as he had in the past, and far more often was completely outpointed.
Tackles were also quite a bit down with his worst return per game ever over a season (17 from 19 games), another poor tackle year for him was 1999 (another poor year for him IMHO) although he's never been a big tackler.
Apart from that, statistically he was similar to his B&F years. In fact in most categories he was better than in either 2000 or 2001 - throws an interesting light on stats!
2002 Summary: After 2 All-Australian years - came back to earth with a thud. Only two or three games stood out as high level performances in my memory. Looked way too disinterested at times for a bloke on half a million a year and Round 22 was an embarrassment when at times in my eyes he just didn't try. Seemed far more indecisive this year and will be forever remembered on the highlights real for his middle of the M.C.G. "Pirouette". Was shown up against a number of bigger stronger forwards which showed just how big a loss Holland was. Admittedly there were a number of reasonably good stopping games which would have gone largely unnoticed.
Previously: 2001 averaged 12 possessions, 4 marks and didn't miss a game, won the B&F was All-Australian. 2000 averaged 11.3 disposals, 3.1 Marks from 17 games. 2nd in the B&F, All-Australian for the first time. Only 9.4 disposal and 2 marks a game in 1999 from 21 games in a poor season for him. 13.8 Disposals and 3.5 marks a game from 21 games in 1998 when he showed a lot of dash playing (from memory) predominately off the half back line. Similar to 97 which followed up a pretty decent first year with us in 96 while not outstanding showed as a 20yo that he could live up to the wraps (and price tag) he had on him.
Ability: 6 - Above average footballer, poor foot skills and too frequently goes to ground mark him down. Agility for his size and ability to read the play gives him the credit points.
Offence: 2.5 - Simply has no idea when put forward. Can take a grab up forward but wouldn't want him kicking for my life.
Defence: 8.5. Would be in the top 6 in the comp for man on man defensive capabilities, however increasingly being shown up against the bigger forwards. Still one of the few genuine key defensive players around.
Hardness: 4.5. Below average in my book. Can show courage which gains him a few points, but how often have you seen him lay a strong tackle - a hip and shoulder, bust open a pack. Not his traits, not everyone has these. Worrying aspect this year was three times he missed a single game through injury - seems minor niggles can put him out a bit too easy.
Speed: 4. Pretty good for a guy 193cm, but not outstanding, would like to see him vs Richo with some decent delivery to a lead.
Stamina: 3.5. Too often saw him struggling to see out games last year, bent over, hands on hips. 3.5 may be generous, but I hadn't really questioned this that much in the past.
Delivery: 3. If only he could kick! I love watching Dustin Fletcher kick a ball, I shudder watching Gas.
Air: 5.5 - Above average, not big on the contested mark and does regularly juggle his marks - not a natural one grabber but reasonably clean.
Ground: 2.5 - Poor below his knees, can look lost when the footy hits the turf and too often goes to ground when it's there.
Injury: 6 - Seems to miss regularly with minor niggles lately. 2001 only year he got through a full season, but there's been no real "big ones"
Ruck: 1 - Maybe I'm a bit cruel on this one, as he has won his share of contests in the past, but got memories of some awful attempts against genuine ruckmen at time. Really probably should be a 2 or maybe 3.
Temperament: 5. Average I suppose, nothing from memory to suggest anything too bad, but seeing him drop the head a bit too much.
Ball: 5.5. Slightly above average, can win a reasonable amount of footy, particularly given the position he plays. Actually plays his best footy when he tries to attack the footy and win possession more often (IMHO).
Strengths: Extremely agile for his size, and good evasive skills in traffic. One of the best in the comp at marking his own man particularly when the opponent is of similar size.
Weaknesses: Disposal is poor to say the least, and can be indecisive when he tries to run the ball, has spent far too much of his career lying flat out on the turf while the opposing team scores.
Overall: O.K. time to be flat out honest - if Gas was on 300K a year we'd probably all say it was a slightly below average year but as the highest paid player at the club (I would think) Ga$par should not just be average, he should be outstanding. Personally I think he's vastly over-rated at a time when there are few quality defensive talls going around, and not a hell of a lot of outstanding tall forwards around to exploit them. Lloyd is probably the only real class forward around, with the rest either young up and comers (Brown, Pavlich, Riewolt, Koshinski) or at the end of their careers (Swartz, Carey). For all his good qualities there's some fairly average stuff about Gaspar. Personally I would have traded him to Freo or W.C. if the opportunity had of come around. Has two All-Australians which I actually think came "cheap" and a B&F which was highway robbery.
What he needs to do?
1) Stay on his feet more often in a contest, particularly when the ball hits the deck.
2) Take a $200K a year pay cut or at the least try and prove he deserves it.
3) Pray Holland stays on his feet and that guys like Cameron or Campbell can clear the ball for him.
4) Show a bit more leadership on the field - it was demoralising watching him close up in Sydney - and I think some of his team-mates weren't too impressed either.
