Full Name: PAUL SPROULE
Date of Birth: 16/12/1944
Height: 179 cm ( 5-10 1/2 )
Weight: 76 kg ( 12-0 )
Guernsey: 6
Debut: 22/04/1972, Round 4, Carlton
Last Game: 20/09/1975, Round PF, North Melbourne
RICHMOND SENIORS
Seasons: 1972-75
Total Games: 86
Total Goals: 93
Honours: Premiership 1973-74.
RICHMOND RESERVES
Seasons:
Total Games:
Total Goals:
Honours:
RICHMOND SENIOR COACH 1985 Home & Away Games 22 Wins 9 Drew 0 Losses 13.
BIOGRAPHY
Paul was a ruck-rover and centreman. He originally started his senior career with another champion Tasmanian, Ian Stewart at Hobart in 1962. Paul later crossed Bass Strait to join Essendon in 1968. He played with Essendon between 1968 and 1971 and was member of Essendon's 1968 Grand Final team, before being left off their senior list at the end of 1971. Richmond quickly capitalised on Essendon's mistake by signing him. He was a fine kick particularly with the drop-kick and possessed a good football brain. A very sure ball handler he was a consistent possession winner who always put the ball to good use with accurate hand and foot passes. He could also kick well with either foot and was an elusive player who had the ability to find space and gather possessions at will. A handy goal scorer he finished with 29 goals in 1972 and 1973 and 27 in 1974. His highest individual goal tally was 6 against Geelong in Round 13 of 1972. He also kicked 4 goals on four occasions including the 1972 qualifying final against Collingwood.
He was a member of Richmond's 1973 and 1974 Premiership sides as well as the 1972 Grand Final side. A fine performer during Finals he averaged 23.3 possessions for the three Grand Finals he played with Richmond, and was voted Richmond's best player in the 1975 first semi-final win over Carlton and second best in the 1973 semi-final win against St. Kilda. He returned to Tasmania in 1976 and coached Sandy Bay for a total of six season, winning three consecutive Premierships in his first three season. Paul later returned to Richmond as Senior coach for one season, 1985. He is a school teacher and lives in Tasmania.
PRE RICHMOND
Hobart Technical School 1958-61 ( Honours - Tasmanian Schoolboy Representative Team ) ; Macalburn 1961 ; Hobart 1962-67 ( Honours - Premiership 1963, 1966 ) ; Essendon 1968-71, Games 60, Goals 60.
POST RICHMOND
Sandy Bay 1976-79, 1983-84, Games 31, Goals 36 ( Honours - Premiership 1976-78, Captain/Coach 1976-78, Coach 1979, 1983, League Representative Team Games 3 Goals 2, Tasmanian Representative Team Games 3 Goals 3 ) ; Hobart 1980-81, Games 100 including 1962-67, Goals 143 including 1962-67 ( Honours - Premiership 1980, Coach 1980-81, Tasmanian Representative Team Games 2 Goals 3 ).
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