In fact, it was late in 2001, after Gaspar had earned all-Australian selection for the second successive year. Fremantle was trying to lure him home, with a $3 million carrot.
Richmond, high on the whiff of success that had suddenly overtaken the club, fought off his WA suitor with everything it had, including about $500,000 deducted from the pay of eight of his team-mates.
Richmond won this battle by paying Gaspar about $2.5 million over five years. Now, using a little hindsight to polish up the glasses, you would have to wonder whether it has lost out big time.
There’s no doubt the Club stuffed the re-negotiation of his contract. Before the 2001 season had finished, Gas had said that he wanted to stay at Richmond. Once negotiations got under way, after the season had ended, all of a sudden he's homesick.
Obviously his Manager/Agent got involved and the whole thing went pear shaped from there. Gas could have nipped the whole thing in the bud and said he was happy to sign, but didn't, I guess.
All the Club had to do was to say to Gas, 'if you want to stay, sign here', under fair and reasonable terms for both parties, 'otherwise look for another club'.
Instead, it turned into the drama it never had to be.
This short-sighted, short-term based decision helped make a rod for Gas’ back, not to mention RFC’s, which many knew would happen, but they didn’t seem interested in listening to any of that.
Wonder if they’re interested now, or they probably couldn’t care less, because they’ve moved on to greener pasteurs and those left behind can deal with the fallout.
