He played as a rover and was sometimes pushed forward where he was a handy goalkicker, averaging two goals a game.

Findlay was started his league career with his local side Footscray and played his first game of VFL in 1933.

He managed just the one game in his debut season and four in the next prompting him to move to North Melbourne in 1935.

His leadership role expanded to captain and coach for the latter part of 1942 and the entire 1943 season.

During this time Findlay found himself resting in the forward pocket and was North's leading goal kicker in 1943, 1944 and 1945.