Reg Ryan (Australian footballer)

Reginald Gordon "Dodger" Ryan (23 February 1920 – 16 May 2005) was an Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne and Collingwood in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Reg Ryan
Ryan in 1942
Personal information
Full name	Reginald Gordon Ryan
Date of birth	23 February 1920
Date of death	16 May 2005 (aged 85)[1]
Original team(s)	Victoria Brewery
Height	183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	84 kg (185 lb)
Position(s)	Defender
Playing career^1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1939–40	North Melbourne	3 (0)
1942	Collingwood	6 (0)
1946–50	North Melbourne	63 (0)
Total		72 (0)
^1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1950.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

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 did not play football for a period due to the war.[2] 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 did not see out the season.[3]

References

1. Obituary in the Herald Sun, 17 May 2005
2. "Reg Ryan". AFL Tables.
3. The Age, "Whelan Trains", 16 May 1951, p. 10