Dick Reynolds
Encyclopedia
Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds (born 20 June 1915 - 2 September 2002) was an Australian rules football
er and coach who represented Essendon
and Victoria
with great distinction.
Reynolds had several relatives who also became League footballers, including his brother Tom
, cousin Max Oppy
, and grandson Joel
.
He played from 1933 until 1951, captain coaching the side from 1939 until 1950, and coaching after his retirement from 1951 until 1960.
Revered by Essendon supporters, he was often referred to simply as "King Richard".
The most notable highlights of Reynolds career include:
Off the field, Reynolds was a shy and private man, noted for his humility about his footballing achievements. Just three days before his death, after being given a standing ovation by the crowd at the "Champions of Essendon" announcement dinner, at which he was named the greatest Essendon player of all time, Reynolds was visibly moved and stated "I don't deserve this honour... Bill Hutchison was the best player I ever saw."
His family's link with Essendon continued when his grandson Joel Reynolds
was selected by the club in the 2001 AFL Draft
. He made his debut in Round 3, 2002 against Brisbane
at the Gabba
, with Dick watching from the stands.
A statue in his honour was erected in 2004 at the Parade of Champions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er and coach who represented Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
and Victoria
Victoria Australian rules football team
The Victorian Australian rules football team, also known as the Big V is the representative side of Victoria, Australia in the sport of Australian rules football....
with great distinction.
Reynolds had several relatives who also became League footballers, including his brother Tom
Tom Reynolds (footballer)
Tom Reynolds , the brother of three times Brownlow Medal winner Dick Reynolds and cousin of Richmond champion player and coach Max Oppy, was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL....
, cousin Max Oppy
Max Oppy
William "Max" Oppy was an Australian rules football player who played in the Victorian Football League between 1942 and 1954 for the Richmond Football Club. He was senior coach of Richmond in 1956....
, and grandson Joel
Joel Reynolds
Joel Reynolds is an Australian rules footballer. Reynolds is the grandson of Bomber legend Dick Reynolds. At the conclusion of the 2006 season, and after five seasons and just 38 games for the Bombers, Reynolds was delisted only to be picked up by Geelong in the pre-season rookie draft...
.
He played from 1933 until 1951, captain coaching the side from 1939 until 1950, and coaching after his retirement from 1951 until 1960.
Revered by Essendon supporters, he was often referred to simply as "King Richard".
Overview
- Four time premiership captain-coach (1942, 1946, 1949, 1950)
- Three time Brownlow MedalBrownlow MedalThe Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
winner (1934, 1937, 1938), the equal most of any player - Seven time Essendon best-and-fairest (1934, 1936–1939, 1942, 1943), an equal club record
- 320 career games, a league record at the time of his retirement
- 442 goals scored, a club record at the time of his retirement
- Ranked as the greatest ever player for the club in the "Champions of Essendon"
Off the field, Reynolds was a shy and private man, noted for his humility about his footballing achievements. Just three days before his death, after being given a standing ovation by the crowd at the "Champions of Essendon" announcement dinner, at which he was named the greatest Essendon player of all time, Reynolds was visibly moved and stated "I don't deserve this honour... Bill Hutchison was the best player I ever saw."
His family's link with Essendon continued when his grandson Joel Reynolds
Joel Reynolds
Joel Reynolds is an Australian rules footballer. Reynolds is the grandson of Bomber legend Dick Reynolds. At the conclusion of the 2006 season, and after five seasons and just 38 games for the Bombers, Reynolds was delisted only to be picked up by Geelong in the pre-season rookie draft...
was selected by the club in the 2001 AFL Draft
2001 AFL Draft
The 2001 AFL Draft consisted of a national draft, a rookie draft, a pre-season draft and a trade period. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League .In 2001 there were 83...
. He made his debut in Round 3, 2002 against Brisbane
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
at the Gabba
Brisbane Cricket Ground
The Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as The Gabba, is a major sports stadium in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. It is named after the suburb of Woolloongabba, in which it is located....
, with Dick watching from the stands.
A statue in his honour was erected in 2004 at the Parade of Champions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
.
External links
- Player profile: Dick Reynolds (Essendon Football ClubEssendon Football ClubThe Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
)