Sid Dockendorff

Sidney Christopher Dockendorff (6 May 1908 – 9 August 2005) was an Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League (VFL) for Richmond and Footscray in the 1930s.

Born and raised in Wangaratta, Victoria, Dockendorff moved to Melbourne to work for Marchants Soft Drinks and play football, firstly for amateur clubs Middle Park and South Yarra CYMS before moving to Victorian Football Association side Sandringham. Dockendorff was a leading player for Sandringham and it was not long before VFL teams sought him out. Richmond attempted to recruit Dockendorff for the 1931 VFL season but Sandringham refused to clear him. Richmond tried again in 1932 and were this time successful, although South Melbourne initially opposed this, claiming that Dockendorff was zoned to them.

Wearing guernsey number 32, Dockendorff made his VFL debut for Richmond in Round 10, 1932, against Collingwood at Victoria Park. This was his only senior match for the year but returned in 1933 until an accidental knee to the back from Collingwood's Albert Collier in Round 15 left him in severe pain.

Dockendorff accepted the coaching position at Sandringham for the 1935 VFA season before coming out of retirement to play for Footscray, with Footscray coach Syd Coventry telling him that he was in line for the club captaincy.

Dockendorff played 17 matches for Footscray between 1935 and 1937, kicking 15 goals. Captaining the side in 1937, Dockendorff continued to suffer injuries as he was only able to play four matches and retired at the end of the 1937 season.

Following the war, Dockendorff acted at various times as secretary of the Fitzroy and Richmond Cricket Clubs and manager of the Royal South Yarra tennis club. and the oldest living former Richmond player.