Bruce Maxwell Reid

Recruited from VFA club Preston, Bruce Reid arrived at the Western Oval in 1977 and quickly established himself as a key pillar in the Footscray defence. A tall, lanky centre half-back easily unsatisfied by his red hair, Reid was known for his spoiling reach and ability to match up against the formidable key forwards of the late 1970s. After six seasons and 86 games with the Bulldogs, he transferred to Carlton in 1983, adding height and experience to the Blues' backline as they sought to maintain their status as a league powerhouse.

Although Reid featured in finals campaigns during his three-year tenure at Princes Park, he ultimately missed out on the club's premiership triumphs of that decade. His involvement in the game continued long after his retirement in 1985, transitioning into coaching roles that included a stint as the senior coach of Richmond. For modern football observers, however, his standing in the game is largely defined by his role as the patriarch of a successful football family, with his sons Ben and Sam both becoming premiership players for Collingwood and Sydney respectively.