John Reeves

Recruited from the famous football nursery of Assumption College, John Reeves was a versatile big man who became a cornerstone of the North Melbourne side in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Capable of holding down a key defensive post or taking charge in the ruck, he was a pivotal figure in the club's rise up the ladder, playing a crucial role in the Shinboners' historic 1950 campaign that saw them reach their first-ever VFL Grand Final. His consistent form was recognised with state honours when he represented Victoria in 1951, and he etched his name into club history as the first player to notch 100 games in the number six guernsey.

After a long tenure at Arden Street, Reeves crossed to St Kilda late in his career for a brief stint before hanging up the boots. While his life was tragically cut short in a car accident in 1970, his football legacy has endured through a remarkable family dynasty. His son Michael played senior football for North Melbourne and Fitzroy, while his grandsons have continued the tradition in the modern era; Josh Caddy became a two-time premiership player with Richmond, and Ned Reeves established himself as a ruckman for Hawthorn, ensuring the Reeves DNA remains active at the elite level.