Dick Reynolds

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Dick Reynolds

Personal Info
Birth	June 20, 1915,
Recruited from	Woodlands (Essendon League)
Death	September 2, 2002,
Playing Career¹
Debut	Round 1, April 29, 1933, Essendon vs. Footscray, at Western Oval
Team(s)	Essendon (1933-1951) 320 games, 442 goals
Coaching Career¹
Team(s)	Essendon (1939-1960) 415 games - 275 wins, 134 losses, 6 draws
¹ Statistics to end of 2005 season
Career Highlights
Brownlow Medal winner 1934, 1937, 1938 Essendon Premiership captain-coach 1942, 1946, 1949, 1950 Essendon Best and Fairest 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1942, 1943

Dick Reynolds (born June 20, 1915, died September 2, 2002) was an Australian rules football player and coach. He played for, captained and coached the Essendon Bombers in the VFL/AFL competition for nearly three decades. 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.

[edit] Overview

The most notable highlights of Reynolds career include:

• Four time premiership captain-coach (1942, 1946, 1949, 1950)
• Three time Brownlow Medal 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
• Chosen as one of the twelve inaugural "legends of the game" by the AFL
• Chosen in the AFL team of the century
• 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. Only days before his death, after being given a standing ovation by the crowd at the "Champions of Essendon" announcement dinner, Reynolds was visibly moved and simply stated "I don't deserve any of this".

His legacy lives on with his grandson Joel Reynolds, recruited by the Essendon Football Club in the 2001 AFL Draft. He made his debut in Round 3, 2002 against Brisbane at the Gabba, with Dick himself watching from the stands.

A statue in his honour was erected in 2005 at the Parade of Champions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Preceded by: Wilfred Smallhorn	Brownlow Medallist 1934	Succeeded by: Haydn Bunton
Preceded by: Paddy Walsh	Essendon Best and Fairest winner 1934	Succeeded by: Keith Forbes
Preceded by: Keith Forbes	Essendon Best and Fairest winner 1936-1939	Succeeded by: Hugh Torney
Preceded by: Dinny Ryan	Brownlow Medallist 1937-1938	Succeeded by: Marcus Whelan
Preceded by: Jack Baggott	Essendon Football Club Coach 1939-1960	Succeeded by: Harry Hunter
Preceded by: Wally Buttsworth	Essendon Best and Fairest winner 1942-1943	Succeeded by: Percy Bushby