Essendon Football Club is deeply saddened by the death of St Kilda legend Darrel Baldock.

Baldock, 72, passed away in Tasmania overnight and will be remembered as one of the all time greats to play the game.

Known as the 'Doc', Baldock played 119 games for St Kilda from 1962-68 and captained the club to its only premiership in 1966.

Essendon defender Geoff Pryor said Baldock was a fierce competitor who never gave up.

""He gave his heart and soul in every game he played and one was of those guys who continually fought for the team,"" Pryor said.

""As a player and a leader, he had the respect of his teammates and his opponents.""

Pryor, a member of Essendon's 1965 premiership team that defeated St Kilda had many great duals with Baldock.

""He was a very slippery customer and could weave his way through traffic with great balance, which made him very hard to stop him."" Pryor said.

""You could certainly expect the unexpected to happen and he could produce things from positions on the ground that left everyone in awe.""

Post your message of support to the Baldock family below.