Australian Football

Essendon recruited Ken Timms from North Essendon Methodists and he commenced with the thirds in 1953, winning a best and fairest award at that level two years later. For a time he struggled to break into the Bombers’ league side, in part because of a leg injury sustained in 1957, which was the year he made his senior debut. Initially used as a ruck-rover he would go on to produce serviceable football at full back, as a knock ruckman and as a strong marking, straight kicking forward.

A Victorian interstate representative four times in 1962 and 1963 the undoubted highlight of Timms’ career came in 1962 when he was a ruckman changing in the forward pocket in Essendon’s grand final defeat of Carlton.

Ken Timms retired in 1965 after he failed to gain selection in Essendon’s grand final team against St Kilda. All told, he had played 134 VFL games and kicked 112 goals in the famous black and red jumper. He later captain-coached both Colac and South Warrnambool and helped the Hampden Football League to triumphs in the Victorian Country Championships in 1967 and 1969.

Author - John Devaney