Bill Walton

Who is Bill Walton?

William 'Bill' H. Walton was an Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood in the Victorian Football League.

Walton started his career at Victorian Football Association club Port Melbourne and was their leading goal-kicker in 1914. Enticed to join Collingwood in 1918, Walton appeared in Grand Finals in both his seasons with Collingwood. He played centre half forward in the 1918 VFL Grand Final loss to South Melbourne and centre half back in the 1919 premiership team.

Walton returned to Port Melbourne in 1920 and was appointed captain-coach of Hawthorn in 1922. He was however refused a clearance by Port Melbourne and as a result spent the season playing for them, while coaching Hawthorn during the week. Twice that season, he had the unusual situation of playing a VFA game against the club that he coached. In one of those matches a Port Melbourne teammate had to be restrained from striking Walton over Walton's vocal support for the player's opponent. In 1923 he was granted his clearance and steered Hawthorn into the finals.

In 1925 he accepted an position to captain-coach Stawell in the Wimmera District Football League.