DESCRIPCIÓN DE LAS COMPETENCIAS

The aim of this thesis was to analyse the playing career of Dick Reynolds through his actions, and words, and through the opinions of his contemporaries. In this context, the intention was to reveal the key stages in Reynolds’ career, analysing not only the successes, but also his failures. In doing so, the research undertaken has revealed that, while members of the Essendon community were quick to appreciate his consistent footballing performances, some were also prepared to criticise him, albeit reluctantly, when he failed to meet their expectations. These expectations, which had come about through both a lack of success from the football club over a long period, and also because of the sudden ascension Reynolds made in his VFL career, were a critical element in how the career of Reynolds was perceived.

This thesis revealed four key stages of Dick Reynolds’ football career. The first important phase was his junior development years, where even as a schoolboy he stood out amongst his peers. After receiving the gift of a football from his father, Reynolds set about trying to improve his skills by running and bouncing the football as often as he could. Also, he practiced his running technique, having observed professional sprinters in training for the famous Stawell Gift. By highlighting this stage of his development, insight is gained into the dedication and practice Reynolds was prepared to undertake in order to achieve his goal of playing VFL football. Moreover, by referring back to the 1929 Victorian Schoolboy’s carnival in Perth regularly throughout his life, it was evident that Reynolds viewed that carnival as the key platform in his belief that he could compete with the best of his peers. That belief he had in his own ability then proved important when playing in the more physically challenging EDJFL competition in 1930- 1932.

The second critical phase of Reynolds’ career was his early years with the Essendon Football Club. Having tried out at his favourite side, Carlton, and facing the embarrassment and disappointment of going unnoticed at the time, the fact Reynolds was able to then walk into the senior Essendon side the following year was testament to his determination to succeed at the top level and also revealing of the different ways clubs approached recruitment (with Essendon benefiting from their recently established Junior League). In addition, after claiming the Brownlow Medal the next year, it was evident through the local Essendon Gazette that the community felt enormous pride at Reynolds’ achievement. Throughout his first six seasons Reynolds claimed a record-equalling three Brownlow Medals, and the affection and status he earned through his consistency on the football field during that period saw him elevated into a position of expectation and respect that saw the local reporter, among others, compare him with champion cricketer, Don Bradman.

The third stage of Reynolds’ career emerged when he became captain of the side, and shortly afterwards, when he was named captain-coach. Despite limited leadership experience, Reynolds thrived with the added expectations, all the while having to privately deal with the death of both of his parents around that time. He admitted he had to learn the hard way during the early stages of his coaching career, and as teammates recall from that period, it was largely through his on- field deeds that he was able to inspire his players.

The fourth, and final stage, of his playing career was immediately following the Second World War, where Reynolds oversaw one of the most successful eras for a club in League history. Despite Essendon’s successes, it was the failures Reynolds suffered as player, and as coach, during these years which are the most revealing. It was evident through newspaper reports, as well as letters and books which were later published by his contemporaries, that much of the

blame for Essendon’s failures during this period (the club lost the 1947, 1948 and 1951 Grand Finals) was directed at Reynolds, where his leadership was questioned by a number of sources. These sources provided an insight into the way that the media, and supporters, crave success, and are quick to seek blame when that success is not forthcoming.

As highlighted in Chapter One, Lionel Frost’s Immortals: Football People and the Evolution of Australian Rules, provided a unique way in which to focus on the lives and careers of specific footballers and integrate their football biography within a socio-historical context, in order to encapsulate the personal connection between ordinary people and the game of football.432 With that in mind, this thesis has attempted to showcase how an individual (Reynolds) was able to have an impact on not only a football club, but just as importantly, an entire community. That he was able to do this during two of Australia’s most difficult time periods, the Great Depression and Second World War, ensured he would remain connected to those more trying times, and it was because of this that his hero status was developed and maintained, meaning ‘King Richard’ would always be spoken of with affection from those who lived in Essendon, or who played football during the Dick Reynolds era. Kingston explained that ‘VFL footballers acted as a strong link between League clubs and their communities’ during the 1930s, and this was certainly the case with Reynolds and the people of Essendon.433