Reg Richards

Recruited from Clifton Hill CYMS after growing up in the Victorian country town of Blackwood, Reg Richards was a rover and follower who had a slow burn to his VFL career. Although he debuted as an 18-year-old in 1936, he spent several seasons on the fringe of the senior side before cementing his place as a regular contributor during the early 1940s. His career was interrupted by service in the Australian Army during World War II, but he returned to play a vital role in South Melbourne's 1945 campaign.

Richards is most famously associated with the 1945 "Bloodbath" Grand Final against Carlton. After missing the semi-final due to a bout of influenza, he recovered just in time to take his place in the decider, where he was named in the first ruck. His time at the top level came to an abrupt and controversial end in 1947 following a vicious altercation with Fitzroy's Noel Price; the fight left Richards with a broken nose and an eight-week suspension. He did not play VFL football again, eventually moving to the country to serve as playing coach for Ballarat.