REYNOLDS, Dick

Dick Reynolds is ranked Essendon's best-ever player and is one of the greatest of all time from any club.

He came to Essendon at the age of 16 from Woodlands in the Essendon District League and went on to play 320 games over 18 seasons and set numerous football records. He was acknowledged by his contemporaries as the greatest player of all time and revered by Essendon supporters who nicknamed him "King Richard".

Reynolds was an outstanding junior and in 1930 he trialled at Carlton, the team he followed. In one of their worst selection decisions, they showed little interest so the following year he accepted Essendon's invitation to play in some practice games and was quickly added to their list. He rewarded their faith by winning Essendon's Best First Year Player award in 1933.

Reynolds seemed to have it all. He was determined, had no fear and a great temperament. He was a "ball-magnet" and could run all day. As his career progressed, he evolved from a rover into a half-forward and finally a ruck-rover.

In his second season, aged only 18 years, Reynolds won the first of his three Brownlow Medals. He is still the youngest man to win the award. He won again in 1937 and 1938.

Reynolds won the Essendon Best and Fairest award seven times in ten seasons: 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939,1942 and 1943 and was runner-up in 1935. Only Bill Hutchison has won the award as often. He headed Essendon's goalkickers in 1943 with 31 goals and was second top in 1939 and third top in another seven seasons.

After coach Jack Baggott resigned in 1939, Reynolds, who was then vice-captain, took over as joint coach with Harry Hunter. At the end of the year he was appointed captain-coach at the age of 25 and held that position until the end of 1950 and continued as non-playing coach until 1960.

Under his reign as coach or captain coach the Club played finals in 16 seasons out of 22 and won four flags: 1942, 1946, 1949 and 1950 and were runners-up in 1941, 1943, 1947, 1948, 1951, 1957 and 1959. This was a remarkable turn around for a team that had been down for so long.

Reynolds himself was best on the ground as first rover in the 1942 premiership win. He was also amongst the best on the half-forward flank in 1946 and played in the forward pocket in 1949 and was outstanding in that role in the 1950 victory.

His 27 finals appearances have been surpassed at the Club only by Bill Hutchison (28) and his 10 Grand Final appearances has been surpassed by only player in league history (Michael Tuck, 11). Reynolds 51 finals goals is the second highest at Essendon behind Matthew Lloyd (52).

Reynolds played for Victoria in every year from 1934 to 1939 and again in 1941, 1945 and 1946. He was captain of Victoria in 1939 and 1946.

He retired from playing after the 1950 Grand Final but continued to coach. He came on in the latter part of the 1951 Grand Final, his only game that year, when the team was depleted with injuries. It was his 320th and last appearance.

After his retirement, the Club wanted to name the Essendon Recreation Reserve after him but the Essendon City Council was reluctant and instead suggested that the original, unnamed grandstand should bear his name and the Club was happy to agree, so it became the R. S. Reynolds Stand.

Despite coming close, Essendon didn’t win a flag under Reynolds after 1950 and he was replaced as coach by his former charge, John Coleman, at the end of 1960.

At the end of his career, no-one had played more League games, or in as many League seasons, and no-one had led his team into so many Grand Finals in succession. No-one had won his Club's Best and Fairest on so many occasions.

Even-tempered and sincere, Reynolds enjoyed the respect of every player he had coached in his 416 game coaching career. His success rate of just over 66% is still one of the best in League history.

After leaving Essendon, Reynolds coached West Torrens from 1961 to 1963.

He later returned as a Club committeeman from 1967 to 1971 and he was chairman of selectors in 1971. He became a life member of the Victorian Football League in 1967.

He was an inaugural Legend of both Essendon's Hall of Fame and the Australian Football Hall of Fame. He is depicted as "Brilliance" in the Spirit to Win mural at Windy Hill.

His brother, Tom, was a great player and headed the Club's goalkicking four times. Their cousin was Richmond champion, Max Oppy. Dick's grandson, Joel, played 38 games for Essendon.

Dick Reynolds died on 2nd September 2002 and was mourned by the entire football community.