William 'Digger' Thomas
Encyclopedia
William 'Digger' Thomas was an Australian rules football
er who played with East Perth
and Subiaco
in the WAFL
. He is always mentioned in football records with his nickname Digger as there was another William Thomas who appeared for East Perth and won a Sandover Medal just six years after Digger Thomas did.
Thomas, who was born in Broken Hill, started out in the Goldfields Football League
where he played for the Warriors. He joined the WAFL in 1911 and played 32 games for Subiaco, including their 1913 premiership team. Thomas had missed their inaugural premiership side the previous year as he had been suspended for striking.
After a season with East Fremantle in 1917, Thomas transferred to East Perth where he would spend the rest of his career. He was a member of no fewer than six premierships, five of them in succession and won a Sandover Medal
in 1923 to become the first ever East Perth player to win the award.
He represented Western Australia in a total of twelve interstate matches, including the 1914, 1921 and 1924 carnivals. At the Sydney Carnival
of 1914 he put in a memorable performance in a game against Queensland, kicking 14 goals.
Thomas finished his career with 226 WAFL games, 177 of them for East Perth. Before his retirement in 1928 he spent some time coaching in New South Wales.
He was the father of East Perth and Essendon
player Ritchie Thomas
.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with East Perth
East Perth Football Club
The East Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Royals, is an Australian rules football club that is a member of the West Australian Football League...
and Subiaco
Subiaco Football Club
The Subiaco Football Club, nicknamed the Lions, is an Australian rules football club in the West Australian Football League . It was founded in 1896, and admitted to the WAFL in 1901, along with North Fremantle...
in the WAFL
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
. He is always mentioned in football records with his nickname Digger as there was another William Thomas who appeared for East Perth and won a Sandover Medal just six years after Digger Thomas did.
Thomas, who was born in Broken Hill, started out in the Goldfields Football League
Goldfields Football League
The Goldfields Football League is a regional Australian football league based in the Kalgoorlie region, Western Australia. Originally founded in 1896 as Hannans District Football Association, the league enjoyed a seat and full voting rights on the Australian National Football Council until 1919...
where he played for the Warriors. He joined the WAFL in 1911 and played 32 games for Subiaco, including their 1913 premiership team. Thomas had missed their inaugural premiership side the previous year as he had been suspended for striking.
After a season with East Fremantle in 1917, Thomas transferred to East Perth where he would spend the rest of his career. He was a member of no fewer than six premierships, five of them in succession and won a Sandover Medal
Sandover Medal
The Sandover Medal is an Australian rules football award, given annually since 1921 to the fairest and best player in the West Australian Football League...
in 1923 to become the first ever East Perth player to win the award.
He represented Western Australia in a total of twelve interstate matches, including the 1914, 1921 and 1924 carnivals. At the Sydney Carnival
1914 Sydney Carnival
The 1914 Sydney Carnival was the third edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition....
of 1914 he put in a memorable performance in a game against Queensland, kicking 14 goals.
Thomas finished his career with 226 WAFL games, 177 of them for East Perth. Before his retirement in 1928 he spent some time coaching in New South Wales.
He was the father of East Perth and Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
player Ritchie Thomas
Ritchie Thomas
Richard "Ritchie" Thomas was an Australian rules footballer who played with East Perth in the Western Australian National Football League and for Essendon in the Victorian Football League ....
.