Bernard Toohey was a rugged and highly dependable defender who gave good service to three league clubs during a thirteen season career that saw him play in excess of 250 games.  Powerfully built and adaptable, he was a prodigious kick, and excellent mark, and was equally at home in a key position or on a flank.  Geelong recruited him from Barooga in the Picola and District Football League, and he made his VFL debut in 1981 before going on to play 94 games and kick 35 goals in five seasons.  In 1986 he transferred to Sydney and it was with the Swans that he would play the best and most consistent football of his career.  An All Australian in 1987 after representing Victoria, Toohey also played state of origin football for his home state of New South Wales.  In 1989 he demonstrated his versatility when he topped the Swans' goal kicking list with 27 goals after spending the second half of the season at full forward.  After 129 games and 76 goals for Sydney he crossed to Footscray in 1992 and rounded off his AFL career with two solid seasons that yielded a further 40 games and 4 goals. Bernard returned to Barooga at the end of his illustrious career in 1997, playing an integral part, at Full Forward, in the Hawks winning their 4th and, at present, last MFL flag.