Despard cuts out grog to win Gift

FOR longer than he cares to remember, Jacob Despard found a little too much comfort in fast food and alcohol.

A supremely talented sprinter, the Tasmanian’s gifts were often compromised by offtrack habits – and overshadowed by the astounding feats of fellow athlete and former schoolmate Jack Hale.

That all changed yesterday when reformed Despard charged to emphatic Stawell Gift victory, earning $40,000 and the conviction a revised diet is a worthwhile sacrifice.

With Hale preparing for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Despard covets a return to Australian representation after a four-year hiatus.

His coach Scott Rowsell has no doubt Despard, who beat Hamish Adams and Gary Finegan in the final in 12.11sec, has the ability to make an impact internationally.

“I see massive growth in him. He’s only 21 and he’s got plenty of years to hit his peak,” Rowsell said.

“I’d like to see him in the green and gold because just in the last four months he’s been over here in Victoria, he’s shown he’s incredibly strong and resilient.”

Rowsell and Hale set out uncompromising standards for Despard to follow and, since moving to Melbourne, he has flourished.

He waltzed through the heats and semi-finals to start a warm $2.50 favourite and saluted comfortably.

“We spoke six months ago and said ‘No stone unturned’ so the diet was spot on, the sleeping,” a jubilant Despard said.

“Everything was for this race. We worked really hard for it. I worked on the road back in Tassie and it was just the easiest option to call into a Maccas or something like that.

“I used to go out with the boys for a few beers — sometimes just too much — and that’s all been cut out.

“No takeaway, no sugar. I’m feeling a lot better as well.

“I live with Jack Hale and he’s at the Commonwealth Games at the moment and seeing the way he prepares, it’s got me hungry for that (higher level).

“As soon as I came over I moved in with Jack and pretty much copied what he does and how he prepares and how he eats.

“Maybe another Australian team is in my sights now. In 2014, I went to Oregon for the world champs in the 4x100m relay. It was a bit of a transition from juniors to seniors.”

Watched by his family, Despard was the joint backmarker (4.5m) with Matt Rizzo but quickly stormed away from the defending champion, who finished a gutsy fourth.

Despard is only the fourth Tasmanian to win the Stawell Gift in the 137-year history of the illustrious footrace.

It was his sixth attempt at winning the race.

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