Paul Spargo (born 9 October 1966) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for North Melbourne and the Brisbane Bears in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Playing Career
Spargo played as a half-forward, standing 182 cm (6 ft 0 in) and weighing 82 kg (181 lb). He made his AFL debut in 1985 at age 18 for North Melbourne, wearing guernsey number 56. Over his career, he played 90 senior games (81 for North Melbourne and 9 for the Brisbane Bears) and kicked 118 goals.
AFL Statistics by Season
| Year | Team | Games | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | North Melbourne | 1 | 1 |
| 1986 | North Melbourne | 17 | 29 |
| 1987 | North Melbourne | 13 | 13 |
| 1988 | North Melbourne | 15 | 21 |
| 1989 | North Melbourne | 7 | 9 |
| 1991 | North Melbourne | 11 | 21 |
| 1992 | North Melbourne | 17 | 15 |
| 1993 | Brisbane Bears | 9 | 9 |
| Total | 90 | 118 |
He accumulated 11 Brownlow Medal votes across his career.
Coaching Career
After his playing career, Spargo returned to coach the Albury Football Club in the Ovens & Murray Football League (O&MFL) in 1994. He led Albury to consecutive premierships in 1995 and 1996. After a brief departure, he returned to coach Albury in 2002. From 2003 to 2004, he served as an assistant coach at the Richmond Football Club in the AFL. He returned to Albury again in 2009 and led the club to three consecutive premierships (2009, 2010, 2011), becoming the first person to coach five O&MFL premiership teams. His overall coaching record at Albury was 123 wins and 21 losses.
Personal Life
Spargo is originally from Albury. He is the son of Bob Spargo, who played in a Grand Final for Footscray. His own son, Charlie Spargo, also became an AFL player, playing for North Melbourne.
Honours
- Inducted into the O&M Football Netball League Hall of Fame (2013)
- Albury Team of the Century coach
- Five-time O&MFL premiership coach (1995, 1996, 2009, 2010, 2011)
