Daniel finds his spark to reach 100 games

By ZAC MILBANK 

Daniel Fahey-Sparks didn’t think he would play one Hostplus SANFL League game for Sturt, let alone 99.

The Double Blues’ ruckman felt he was set to be overlooked when he initially graduated from junior ranks at Unley at the end of 2016.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 27-year-old said he was proud to reach triple figures after making his League debut against Glenelg in Round 19 of 2018.

It gave him the ideal springboard to launch his career the following season as he featured in 15 League matches.

Since then, the 198cm utility has primarily become a fixture inside the centre square where he has relished battling against the likes of Jesse White, Sam Jacobs, Sam Baulderstone and Scott Lycett.

By his own admission, Fahey-Sparks says he is under-sized for a ruck but enjoys moving around the ground where he can display his flexibility at ground level.

The emergence of fellow bigman Amos Doyle at Sturt has now freed him up to spend more time in attack, where he enjoys kicking a goal.

But he doesn’t think he will ever better his six-pointer scored in Round 7 of 2020 featured in the video clip below, where he produces an eye-catching checkside finish along the ground.

The qualified physiotherapist is now being driven to taste the ultimate success with the Double Blues, having come close in 2023 as runner-up to the Tigers, whom he will face at Stratarama Stadium on Sunday.