Dick Wardill
Melbourne
AFL career
60 games37 goals
- Debut
- R6 1897 v COL19 June 1897
- Most recent
- R3 1902 v ESS17 May 1902
Stats
Bio
Born into a sporting dynasty with deep ties to the Melbourne Cricket Club, Dick Wardill etched his name into Demons folklore as the club's first VFL premiership captain. Recruited from Alberton, he established himself as an inspirational leader and energetic forward who could also pinch-hit in the ruck when required. His crowning moment arrived during the 1900 finals series where, after a modest home-and-away campaign, he rallied his side to a shock Grand Final victory over a dominant Fitzroy outfit. Wardill was instrumental on the day, winning the toss and booting a crucial goal in the low-scoring upset before being chaired off the ground by his teammates. He initially retired early in the 1901 season to hand the reins to Bill McClelland but returned for a brief cameo the following year, departing the game as the revered skipper who delivered the Redlegs their maiden VFL flag.
Profile
- Born
- 05 July 1872
- Died
- 28 Aug 1929 (aged 57y 54d)
- Birthplace
- Melbourne, VIC
- Deathplace
- Ripponlea, VIC
Teams
Honours
- Premiership1900
- Melbourne captain1900
Bio
1 revisionBorn into a sporting dynasty with deep ties to the Melbourne Cricket Club, Dick Wardill etched his name into Demons folklore as the club's first VFL premiership captain. Recruited from Alberton, he established himself as an inspirational leader and energetic forward who could also pinch-hit in the ruck when required. His crowning moment arrived during the 1900 finals series where, after a modest home-and-away campaign, he rallied his side to a shock Grand Final victory over a dominant Fitzroy outfit. Wardill was instrumental on the day, winning the toss and booting a crucial goal in the low-scoring upset before being chaired off the ground by his teammates. He initially retired early in the 1901 season to hand the reins to Bill McClelland but returned for a brief cameo the following year, departing the game as the revered skipper who delivered the Redlegs their maiden VFL flag.