Reversal a one-off: Gaspar
By Len Johnson
May 01 2003
Darren Gaspar is not expecting another turnaround game like last weekend's against Hawthorn in his footballing lifetime, much less this week against Port Adelaide.
Gaspar, who plays his 150th game for the Tigers against Port at Football Park on Saturday night, said the reversal of a 51-point deficit to a 20-point win against the Hawks was a new experience.
"In my time playing football, it's never happened before like that," said Gaspar before training at Punt Road yesterday afternoon.
"A couple of players said it won't happen again."
It certainly won't against Port this weekend. The in-form Crows managed only nine goals against the Power in last Saturday night's derby - five fewer than the Tigers scored in succession as they roared back against Hawthorn.
"We've got to come out firing," Gaspar said.
"It should be a good game. We haven't beaten Port Adelaide over there for a number of years.
"It's a huge challenge for us; we've just got to step up."
Richmond has never beaten the Power in Adelaide, in fact, and omens do not look good for this weekend, even if Matthew Primus misses out for Port.
Gaspar said that Richmond, in second place with a 4-1 record, had been at its best recently when 22 players made a contribution.
"That's the key," Gaspar said. "We've been playing our best football when everyone has been playing well and doing something.
"We've won four in a row, but we're not getting too carried away. It's only early."
Originally from Perth, Gaspar played 21 games in two seasons with Sydney before moving to Punt Road.
He resisted overtures from Fremantle to move back to Perth before signing his present contract with the Tigers. The 150 games with the club qualifies him for automatic life membership.
"It's a huge honour," Gaspar said.
His debut with the Swans seemed a lifetime away, he said. "It's funny - when I go up there, it seems like it didn't happen. It was that long ago. Richmond Football Club has been terrific to me and my wife."
By Len Johnson
May 01 2003
Darren Gaspar is not expecting another turnaround game like last weekend's against Hawthorn in his footballing lifetime, much less this week against Port Adelaide.
Gaspar, who plays his 150th game for the Tigers against Port at Football Park on Saturday night, said the reversal of a 51-point deficit to a 20-point win against the Hawks was a new experience.
"In my time playing football, it's never happened before like that," said Gaspar before training at Punt Road yesterday afternoon.
"A couple of players said it won't happen again."
It certainly won't against Port this weekend. The in-form Crows managed only nine goals against the Power in last Saturday night's derby - five fewer than the Tigers scored in succession as they roared back against Hawthorn.
"We've got to come out firing," Gaspar said.
"It should be a good game. We haven't beaten Port Adelaide over there for a number of years.
"It's a huge challenge for us; we've just got to step up."
Richmond has never beaten the Power in Adelaide, in fact, and omens do not look good for this weekend, even if Matthew Primus misses out for Port.
Gaspar said that Richmond, in second place with a 4-1 record, had been at its best recently when 22 players made a contribution.
"That's the key," Gaspar said. "We've been playing our best football when everyone has been playing well and doing something.
"We've won four in a row, but we're not getting too carried away. It's only early."
Originally from Perth, Gaspar played 21 games in two seasons with Sydney before moving to Punt Road.
He resisted overtures from Fremantle to move back to Perth before signing his present contract with the Tigers. The 150 games with the club qualifies him for automatic life membership.
"It's a huge honour," Gaspar said.
His debut with the Swans seemed a lifetime away, he said. "It's funny - when I go up there, it seems like it didn't happen. It was that long ago. Richmond Football Club has been terrific to me and my wife."