Reg Conole

Arriving at Melbourne as a battle-hardened 28-year-old, Reg Conole brought valuable premiership experience from the SANFL, where he had been a key contributor for Port Adelaide. His transition to Victorian football was initially stalled by strict residential qualification rules, forcing him to sit out the first half of the 1930 season before he was finally cleared to debut. A versatile utility capable of playing across multiple lines, Conole settled primarily as a half-back flanker for the Demons, using his mature frame and defensive nous to intercept opposition attacks, though he was also deployed as a relief ruckman when required. He provided steady, reliable service to the club during a lean era, remaining a fixture in the senior side for four seasons before retiring at the end of 1933.