Tom Reynolds, like Dick, initially played his football with Woodlands and then Flemington-Kensington, before joining Essendon. At 180cm, he wasn’t a tall forward but he read the play superbly ensuring he was always in the right place at the right time. His excellent goal sense enabled him to make the most of every possession.
For a player who did not play key position, his goal-kicking record was outstanding. On four occasions he led the club’s goalkicking – 1938 (68 goals), 1939 (71 goals), 1941 (65 goals) and 1942 (61 goals). He finished fourth in the league goalkicking in 1939 and 1942.
Tom Reynolds was a member of the 1942 Essendon premiership side. He also played in the losing Grand Finbal sides of 1941 and 1943 – in the latter of those games his seven goals saw him best on ground for the Bombers. In all Reynolds kicked 30 goals in finals showing he was a big-game performer.
While his brother Dick dominated the Brownlow Medal voting during his career, Tom also polled well and finished equal third among the Essendon players in 1938. He was selected for Victoria in 1939 and won Essendon’s Best Clubman award that season.
After leaving Essendon he played four games with St Kilda in 1945 before joining Sandringham the following season. He then became captain / coach of Cranbourne in 1947 and 1948.
