AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game
Full name
Robert Spargo Jnr
Known as
Bob Spargo
Born
15 October 1939 (age 84)
Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 18y 256d
Last game: 23y 327d
Height and weight
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 81 kg
Senior clubs
Footscray
Jumper numbers
Footscray: 8
Family links
Bob Spargo Snr (Father)Ricky Spargo (Brother)Paul Spargo (Son)Charlie Spargo (Grandson)
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Footscray | V/AFL | 1958-1963 | 80 | 43 | 0.54 | 44% | 19.67 | — | 2.00 | 11 |
Total | 1958-1963 | 80 | 43 | 0.54 | 44% | 19.67 | — | 2.00 | 11 |
Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only
AFL: 6,958th player to appear, 3,012th most games played, 2,295th most goals kickedFootscray: 454th player to appear, 161st most games played, 152nd most goals kicked
Son of former Footscray and Melbourne footballer Bob Spargo, Bob Spargo junior shared his father’s electrifying speed and indeed ran as a professional, once qualifying for a Stawell Gift final. After commencing his career as a half forward flanker he went on to hold down centre with alacrity and purpose, although his distribution occasionally let him down somewhat. He played 80 VFL games and kicked 43 goals for the Bulldogs from 1958 to 1963. He was once selected to represent Victoria but had to withdraw from the team because of injury.
The 1964 season saw him at West Perth where, after a somewhat unconvincing start, he showed just what a talented footballer he was. Playing mostly as a rover, there were some who felt he was too big for the position at 180cm and 79kg. However, he proved the doubters wrong thanks to his pace, adroit ball handling and good all round skills. He could also perform serviceably on a half forward flank, although his kicking for goal was sometimes a little wayward. He represented Western Australia three times and in a match against Victoria in 1965 he registered five goals. His WANFL career with West Perth comprised 59 games in which he kicked 91 goals.
Author - John Devaney