Australian Football

Born in Footscray, Jim Toohey travelled with his family to Western Australia when he was eight years of age. He demonstrated an adeptness at the native code of football and joined North Fremantle in 1903, going on to play 60 games for the club in three separate stints. Between 1907 and 1910 he played for Mines Rovers and was regarded as one of the best footballers on the goldfields.

Most commonly deployed as a half forward flanker Toohey was also quite versatile and capable of filling a number of different roles, including key positions. (He was 183cm in height and weighed 93kg.) He joined Fitzroy in 1913 and was on a half forward flank in that year’s challenge final victory over St Kilda. He later played at centre half back in the 1917 premiership decider which the Maroons lost to Collingwood. His VFL career with Fitzroy ran from 1913 to 1917 with a single season resumption in 1920. He played 78 games and kicked 102 goals.

Two of Toohey’s sons, Jim junior and Jack, were also VFL footballers at Fitzroy, with Jack also playing for St Kilda.

Author - John Devaney