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Dick Reynolds: Australian Football

Richard Sylvannus “Dick” Reynolds (20 June 1915 – 2 September 2002) represented Essendon in the Victorian League Football League (VFL) as an Australian rules footballer during the 1930s and 1940s. He was nicknamed “King Richard” as he was known as the sport’s classic gentleman.



Greatest Sporting Achievements

Reynolds is one of the four footballers (Haydn Bunton, Sr., Ian Stewart and Bob Skilton) who won three Brownlow Medals. He also received the W.S. Crichton Medal in 1934, 1936 to 1939, 1942 and 1943. He became captain-coach in 1942, 1946, 1949 and 1950, became captain from 1939 to 1950. In 1943, Dick Reynolds became Essendon’s leading goal kicker. He is the 8th player with most goals kicked (442) in 320 games and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996.

Why Was He So Good?

Reynolds stood 179 cm and weighed 82.5 kg, large and heavily built and always came off second best during physical interactions but he constantly possessed leadership qualities, an ultimate stability and ball handling talent. While he didn’t have the greatest kick, every time he was in close proximity to the goals, he was always treacherous, later developing into an outstanding half forward.

Dick Reynolds taking a kickDick Reynolds taking a kick

What You May Not Know

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