Essendon chairman Graeme McMahon today called for Bomber great Bill Hutchison to be made a legend of the game. Speaking at today's Dick Reynolds Club Luncheon at the Grand Hyatt, McMahon said Hutchison was a man of great character whose record spoke for itself and as such should be elevated to legend status. Today's DRC Luncheon was the last for this year and it paid tribute to the brilliant rover. Hutchison was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 1996 along with another 135 players. There are currently just 16 AFL Legends of the game - among them are Essendon stars Dick Reynolds and John Coleman.

The current legends of the game are Ron Barassi, Kevin Bartlett, Hayden Bunton (snr), Roy Cazaly, John Coleman, Gordon Coventry, Jack Dyer, Graham Farmer, Peter Hudson, Leigh Matthews, John Nicholls, Bob Pratt, Dick Reynolds, Bob Skilton, Ian Stewart and Ted Whitten.

Hutchison was a brilliant rover who Dick Reynolds has described as the greatest player he has ever seen. Born in 1923, Hutchison played for the Bombers between 1942 and 1957. He played 290 games and kicked 496 goals in that time. He won the Brownlow Medal in 1952 and 1953, was second in 1955 and third in 1948 and 1951. He won an amazing seven best and fairest awards for the Bombers, played in four premierships and was twice an All Australian. Hutchison died in 1982 at just 59 years of age.