Bill Twomey, Sr.

Who is Bill Twomey, Sr.?

William 'Bill' Patrick Twomey was an Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood and Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League. His sons Mick, Pat and Bill and grandson David Twomey all played league football with Collingwood.

Twomey possessed exceptional pace and was thus used mainly as a wingman although he also played occasionally as a centreman and half back. In five seasons with Collingwood he played 54 games, including their 1919 premiership as well as in three losing grand finals. He represented Victoria in an interstate match against South Australia in 1921.

After leaving Collingwood at the end of the 1922 season to concentrate on an athletics career, Twomey had success as a sprinter winning the 1924 Stawell Gift. He later turned to football, joining Hawthorn in 1933 as captain-coach. Hawthorn finished in 11th position for both of his seasons in charge, the latter in a non playing capacity although he did appear in one match that year.

He was also briefly a boundary umpire, officiating in three league games.