Sproule named a football iconBRETT STUBBS
Mercury
July 2, 2016IT was the best $2000 Richmond ever spent.
The change from Essendon to Richmond for the paltry sum changed Paul Sproule’s life and was a major step to the midfielder being elevated to the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame’s Icon status announced last night.
Sproule, who kicked five goals on his VFL debut for the Bombers, left Windy Hill after 60 games during the 1972 pre-season and a disagreement with the club when the Tigers pounced.
“I didn’t even know about that till I read it the other day,” Sproule said of the transfer that started a chain of unprecedented Tigers success.
“You don’t find out those things and back in those days were there any transfer fees? I have no idea at all.”
During his four seasons at Tigerland, he played in three grand finals for two premierships. And he was far from just a passenger being named in the best in all three grand finals, including arguably best afield alongside another Tasmanian icon Royce Hart in 1974, when he moved to the centre to help turn an 11-point deficit against North Melbourne into a 41-point win.
“I’ve been quite involved with many premierships over the years as well and they were all very enjoyable,” the 71-year-old told the Mercury. “But probably the best four-year period was when I went to Richmond because the club was in the grand final nearly every year.
“An amazing ability to be there at the right time and have a significant role in winning premierships with the club, that was a fantastic era.”
Success followed Sproule throughout his career, as he played in premierships with Hobart (1963 and 1966) and Sandy Bay (1976, ’77 and ’78 as captain-coach) and then coached the Tigers to the 1980 TFL flag after finishing wooden spooners the previous year.
Football played a huge role in Sproule’s life and was even central to one of his major achievements post playing and coaching career.
Working for Events Tasmania, he played a major part in bringing Hawthorn to Launceston to play home games.
“Without the Labor Government’s interest and then Hawthorn’s accepting the interest ... we would still be starved of AFL footy if Hawthorn hadn’t of come,” he said.
ICON: Paul SprouleHobart/Essendon/Richmond/Sandy Bay, midfielder, 1962-85.
60 games, 60 goals, Essendon, 1967-71.
86 games, 93 goals, Richmond, 1972-75.
99 games, Hobart, 1962-66.
31 games, Sandy Bay, 1976-78.
Three representative matches for Tasmania, 1976-77.
Richmond coach, 1985 (22 games: 9 wins, 13 losses).
Hobart coach, 1980-81 (38 games: 20 wins, 18 losses).
Sandy Bay captain-coach, 1976-78; coach, 1983-84 (102 games: 72 wins, 29 losses, one draw).
Richmond VFL premierships, 1973 and 1974.
Hobart TANFL premierships, 1963 and 1966 (player) and 1980 (coach).
Sandy Bay TANFL premierships, 1976, 1977 and 1978.
Life member, Richmond Football Club, 2013.
http://www.themercury.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-star-paul-sproule-named-a-football-icon/news-story/62ec00e77452ee53062109a9068ca343
