One of the hardest tacklers in the game, and as his nickname ‘Cement' implied David's career was built on his ability to tighten defences in the middle and to hit the defensive line.
- Status: Pending1982 to 83Represented Australian in U/18s v Great Britain Colts and Papua New Guinea.
- Status: Pending1989World Cup: Australia vs. NZ
- Status: Pending2007Inducted Ring of Champions (Hall of Fame),Canterbury Bankstown Football Club.
Beginnings
Gillespie came from Narromine to play for Canterbury in the early 1980s with his mobility and crunching style of attack well-suited to the five-metre defensive rule. In 1983 he was signed by Canterbury Bankstown Rugby League Football Association, playing in lower grades for 2 years. In 1985 he became a regular member of the first grade. He was to remain in first grade for six seasons.
Achievements
In 1986 he played his first game for NSW but late in the season, lost a finger in a work accident and missed the final series and the Kangaroo tour. Gillespie made his Test debut against France in 1990 and played three more Tests on the Kangaroo Tour.
Post Representation
On retirement in 1997, David would concentrate on coaching. In 2001 he would embark on his coaching career with the Western Tigers and the Sydney Roosters.