Tampion, a wingman recruited from the University Blues in the Victorian Amateur Football Association, played 16 VFL games for South Melbourne over three seasons, from 1958 to 1960.
[2] His most noted moment as a footballer was a goal he kicked during the 1958 VFL season, in which he made a career high nine appearances.
[2] In South Melbourne's round 16 win over St Kilda at Junction Oval, Tampion received a free kick as the three-quarter time siren sounded.
[3] As he was the centre wing around 80-yards from goal, he decided he was too far out and handed the ball to the umpire, only to be told by South Melbourne's coach Ron Clegg that he should take the kick.
[3] Tampion, who had the wind behind him, kicked a drop punt which cleared the surprised St Kilda defenders who had not pushed back.