Those who love reading footy history books should have a look at the book, Finding Jack Dyer. It is a great read about Captain Blood and Richmond, the “Struggle town” suburb in the Depression, and war years. One of Captain Bloods’ most famous days was Richmond’s 1943 premiership win.
Playing at centre half back and one of Dyer’s key men and hard men in the victory, was Leo Maguire. He played for the Tigers between 1941-48. Future Canterbury star of the 50’s and early 60s, Lindsay Baillie recalled as a boy of about 12, seeing Maguire on Canterbury station where he would catch the train to Punt Rd for training. He could ask to carry his Gladstone bag on the train as he was his idol.
The Canterbury resident would then take over at Canterbury, as Captain-Coach in 1949, again starring in the back line. Baillie later transferred from VFA club Port Melbourne to play under his hero Maguire at Canterbury.
He remembered him dominating in many games and said he was a standout player for us, until he broke his leg ending his career. Maguire died at 59.
