REYNOLDS, Tom

Tom Reynolds was a star forward pocket and full-forward who, like his brother Dick, came initially from Woodlands. He then played with Flemington-Kensington before joining Essendon.

Although not tall, he had the family knack of being in the right spot at the right time. He also possessed excellent goal sense.

Reynolds was Essendon's leading goalkicker on four occasions: 1938 with 68 goals, in 1939 with 71 goals, in 1941 with 63 goals and in 1942 with 71 goals. Reynolds was the League's fourth top goalkicker in 1939 and 1942. He was second top goalkicker at Essendon in 1940 and third top in 1943.

Reynolds kicked 10 goals in a game in 1939 and 7 goals in 1941, 1942 and in the 1943 Grand Final. This is the equal top for any Essendon player in a Grand Final. Reynolds also holds the Club record for most goals kicked in Round 10. His tally of 30 goals kicked in finals is the fourth highest at Essendon.

He was in the forward pocket in Essendon's 1942 premiership victory.

Reynolds was Essendon's equal third top Brownlow Medal vote scorer in 1938 (the year his brother, Dick, won his second Brownlow) and was selected in the State side in 1939.

He won Essendon's Most Improved Player award in 1938 and the Best Clubman award in 1939.

After leaving Essendon, he played 4 games with St Kilda in 1945 before joining Sandringham in 1946. He then became captain-coach of Cranbourne in 1947 and 1948.

He retired in 1977 from his family wholesale butcher business.

Tom Reynolds passed away on 7 November 2002, just two months after his brother, Dick. His funeral was held at St John's, Toorak.