Killigrew (163 cm or 5 ft 4in) was a physically small man but an effective rover in 78 matches with the St Kilda Football Club from 1938 to 1941 and 1943 to 1945.

He held this position from 1956 to 1958, demanding a "guts and determination" approach with emphasis on a fast running style and use of the handpass as an offensive tool.

[1] In 1958 he led the club to its first-night premiership and during his tenure, he coached two players to Brownlow Medals – Brian Gleeson (in 1957) and Neil Roberts (1958).

In 1963, he was appointed a senior coach for the North Melbourne Football Club, where he again led a team to victory in the 1965 and 1966 night finals.

An infamous moment was his violent run-in with Geelong's Geoff Rosenow in the player's race at Kardinia Park.