Reg Ryan (Australian footballer)
Encyclopedia
Reg 'Dodger' Ryan was an Australian rules football
er who played with North Melbourne
and Collingwood
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
A defender, Ryan's initial stint at North Melbourne was unsuccessful, managing just three VFL games in his two seasons. After leaving the club he joined Williamstown
and through good performances was recruited back to the league by Collingwood. He made six appearances in the 1941 season
but then didn't play football for a period due to the war.
As the conflict neared the end he was back playing at Williamstown and starred from full-back in their 1945 premiership team. North Melbourne gave him another chance in 1946 and over the next five seasons he got regular games and took part in their 1949 finals series. Most notably however he was a centre half back in the 1950 VFL Grand Final
loss to Essendon
, their first ever premiership decider.
In 1951, Preston
lured him back to the VFA as captain-coach but he didn't see out the season.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
and Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL).
A defender, Ryan's initial stint at North Melbourne was unsuccessful, managing just three VFL games in his two seasons. After leaving the club he joined Williamstown
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
and through good performances was recruited back to the league by Collingwood. He made six appearances in the 1941 season
1941 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1941.-Premiership season:In 1941, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, plus one substitute player, known as the 19th man...
but then didn't play football for a period due to the war.
As the conflict neared the end he was back playing at Williamstown and starred from full-back in their 1945 premiership team. North Melbourne gave him another chance in 1946 and over the next five seasons he got regular games and took part in their 1949 finals series. Most notably however he was a centre half back in the 1950 VFL Grand Final
1950 VFL Grand Final
The 1950 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Essendon Football Club and North Melbourne Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 23 September 1950. It was the 54th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine the...
loss to Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
, their first ever premiership decider.
In 1951, Preston
Northern Bullants
Northern Blues Football Club is a long-established Australian rules football club based in Preston and currently playing in the Victorian Football League representing the central and outer areas of Melbourne...
lured him back to the VFA as captain-coach but he didn't see out the season.