5 greatest players in Essendon Bombers history
The bombers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Essendon Bombers have been a vital club in the league from VFL days to the AFL. Over decades, various teams have played a role in that, and making up these teams are some remarkable players.
Below, we highlight the careers, stats and achievements of five of the Bombers’ greatest. Stick with us.
Five greatest players in Essendon Bombers history
#5 Simon Madden (1974-1992)
Widely regarded as one of the league’s finest ruckmen, Simon Madden kicked off his VFL career in 1974 debuting for the Essendon Bombers. He spent all 19 years of his career with them, playing 378 games and kicking 575 goals.
Madden’s was a decorated career. His achievements include: two VFL premierships (1984, 1985), being a three-time All-Australian (1983, 1987–1988), Essendon Leading Goalkicker (1980, 1982, 1991) and six VFL Team of the Year Awards (1983,1984, 1987, 1988, 1989,1990).
He also won four Essendon Best and Fairest Awards (1977, 1979, 1983, 1984), a Norm Smith Medal (1985), Team of the Century, AFL Hall of Fame membership and serving as Essendon captain (1980–1981).
#4 Bill Hutchison (1942-1957)
Fondly referred to as “Hutchy”, Bill Hutchison was one of the finest rovers to grace a footy field. He made his VFL debut in Round 2 of 1942 against Footscray. He would go on to achieve great feats, serving as club captain from 1951-1957.
Bill kicked 496 goals in 290 games. Some of his achievements are four premierships (1942, 1946, 1949,1950), two Brownlow Medals (1952, 1953) and 13 nominations, seven Essendon Bombers' Best and Fairest (1946, 1948, 1950, 1952,1953, 1955, 1956), Essendon Team of the century, two All-Australians (1953, 1956) and AFL Hall of Fame member (legend status).
#3 James Hird (1992-2007)
The one-time senior coach of the Essendon Bombers, like most, began his AFL journey humbly. In 1992, James Hird debuted for the Bombers against St Kilda. He played 253 games and kicked 343 goals in his career, staying loyal to the club.
His accolades include; two premierships (1993, 2000 (captain), Brownlow Medal (1996), five All-Australian team (1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2003) and Club Best and Fairests (1994, 1995, 1996, 2003, 2007), Norm Smith Medal (2000) and two Club Leading Goalkicker Awards (1995, 1996).
He was also the club captain (1998–2005), AFL Hall of Fame, Essendon Team of the Century, Number 3 on the Champions of Essendon list, three pre-season premierships (1993, 1994, 2000) and won three Anzac Medals (2000, 2003, 2004).
#2 John Coleman (1949-1954)
John Coleman is, statistically (and “talentically”) speaking one of the greatest AFL/VFL players. He debuted in 1949 and went on to achieve a lot of accolades.
They are: two premierships (1949, 1950), two Jock McHale Medals (1962, 1965), Essendon Bombers' Best and Fairest (1949), five VFL Leading Goalkicker Awards (1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953), an All-Australian (1953), AFL Team of the Century (1996), Australian Football Hall of Fame and Legend status 1996.
#1 Dick Reynolds (1933-1951)
Dick Reynolds was one of the Essendon Bombers’ greatest players and one of the best rovers the game has seen. He was drafted into Essendon at the age of 16 from Woodlands in the Essendon District League.
By the end of his rookie year, he won the club’s Best First-year Player Award and went on to play 320 games and kick 443 goals, a league record for games played, which has been surpassed by Simon Madden only.
Renowned for his impeccable dash away from packs, Reynolds could run close to the ground at full speed. He was one of four players who won three Brownlow Medals (1934, 1937, 1938).
Some of his accomplishments are highlighted below. He won the Essendon Bombers' Best and Fairest in 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1942 and 1943 and was runner-up in 1935, won the club's Goalkicking in 1943 and was second in 1939 and third in 1937, 1938, 1941, 1942, 1945, 1947 and 1949.
He was appointed captain-coach in 1939 at the age of 25 and held the position till the end of 1950. He;s a four-time premiership player (1942, 1946, 1949, 1950), and has two Champion of the Colony honours (1937, 1939). Reynolds also holds Legend status in the AFL Hall of Fame.