Career
Spangher is a key position player that can play as a forward or a defender. His career has been hampered by injuries. Spangher was recruited by West Coast as the number 34 draft pick in the 2005 American Federation of Labor-Congress Draft from Eastern Ranges.
In 2006, he only played one WAFL reserves game for East Fremantle, before sustaining a groin injury which kept him out for the rest of the season.
In 2007, he played the season with East Fremantle in the WAFL, as a defender. After his WAFL performances in the first 3 rounds of 2008, he made his American Federation of Labor-Congress debut for the West Coast Eagles in the round 4, who had a 62-point loss to Sydney at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Stadium, picking up 12 disposals and 7 marks.
Spangher flagged his intentions to move home to Victoria at the end of 2009 but the club convinced him to sign a one-year deal for 2010. Had some success being the club’s third tall defender and played eight games in season 2010 before getting delisted.
Hawthorn had asked him to attend preseason training in the hope of drafting him.
He was taken by the Sydney Swans in the 2010 Draft. His first game for the Swans was against the Gold Coast in Round 16, 2011. After playing the last five games for Sydney in 2011, he was unable to get a game in 2012.
He was traded to Hawthorn for pick 66 in the 2012 American Federation of Labor-Congress draft.
He made his debut for Hawthorn in the round 8, 2013 clash against Greater Western Sydney in Launceston, Tasmania. Spangher then played against Saint Kilda and Sydney in the home and away rounds before playing against Sydney again in the first week of the finals.
Spangher played his first game for 2014 in round 3 against Fremantle, before suffering a major ankle injury in round 4 against Gold Coast. He returned against his old club West Coast in round 12, being one of Hawthon"s best players, with 22 disposals including 7 contested marks.
Spangher again put in a strong performance the next week against Carlton, and continued his form against Collingwood.
During the medal ceremony, Military Cross Craig Willis made reference to his incredible journey. Spangher"s move to the Hawks has been greeted with "cult hero" status. Spangher"s popularity amongst players and fans was shown with overwhelming applause and chants whenever he went near the ball during the VFL Grand Final for Box Hill.
"lieutenant"s interesting isn"t lieutenant
lieutenant"s nice, but I don"t think it"s deserved," he said of the attention. Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph wrote "Let’s face it, when you look half rock god and half Jesus, men want to be you and women want to be with you." Spangher has gained the nickname "Fabio" from 3AW due to his long hair.
After finally claiming his first premiership in 2014, Hawthorn fans chanted his name, and demanded he speak to the fans at the premiership party, before fan favourite Cyril Rioli.
