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 21^st 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 21^st 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 – 2^nd in 2000, 1^st in 2001, 10^th in 2002, 9^th in 2003, 4^th 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.