Australian Football

A nippy rover and wingman who was surprisingly adept overhead, Luke Toia’s promising AFL career with Fremantle was ultimately short-circuited by injury. On one occasion he broke bones in his back after flying for a mark and was lucky not to have been paralysed for life. He might have played double his tally of 63 games from 1996 to 2002 had he not fallen victim to injury so often. He remained on Freo’s list in 2003 but did not play a senior game with the club.

A goldfields product, at his best he was pacy, energetic and purposeful as well as consistent, as he proved during a 1997 season when he was one of the Dockers’ leading lights. That same season saw him selected to represent Western Australia in a state of origin clash with the Allies.

Prior to (from 1995) and alongside his AFL career Toia played 81 games and booted 93 goals for Subiaco. His last appearance for the Lions came in the losing grand final of 2003 against West Perth.

Three years after leaving Subi Luke Toia returned to league action with Claremont, adding a final 25 games and six goals to his respective career tallies over two seasons. 

Author - John Devaney