Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
William Max Oppy

Known as
Max Oppy

Born
14 October 1924

Died
25 November 2008 (aged 84)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 17y 228d
Last game: 29y 318d

Height and weight
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 81 kg

Senior clubs
Richmond

Jumper numbers
Richmond: 33, 14

Family links
Jim Oppy (Brother)Grant Oppy (Son)Dick Reynolds (Cousin)Tom Reynolds (Cousin)

Max Oppy

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
RichmondV/AFL1942-1954185290.1655%———8
Total1942-1954185290.1655%———8

AFL: 5,056th player to appear, 803rd most games played, 3,026th most goals kickedRichmond: 410th player to appear, 43rd most games played, 232nd most goals kicked

Max Oppy was a determined, courageous and extremely physical player who began his VFL career with Richmond as a rover before developing into one of the finest permanent back pocket specialists in the league. He was first rover, and one of the best players afield, in the Tigers' five-point Grand Final win over Essendon in 1943, while in the following season's loss to Fitzroy he played, if anything, even better on the last line of defence.

Renowned for his ability to play, and play well, while suffering from injuries that would have sidelined most other players, Oppy genuinely personified the Richmond 'eat 'em alive' philosophy. A VFL interstate representative on four occasions, he played a total of 185 VFL games for the Tigers between 1942 and 1954. Two seasons after his retirement as a player he returned to Punt Road as Richmond's senior non-playing coach but after a disappointing season which yielded just six wins from 18 games and 10th place on the ladder he was replaced by Alan McDonald.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications

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Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.