"Crimmo" was known as a lightly built but courageous and skilful rover whose early passing from cancer is one of Australian football's saddest stories.

He was educated at Assumption College and quickly gained attention of Victorian football scouts with his skilful and fearless style of play, on one occasion kicking ten goals roving for the school's senior team.

Showing good form in the practice matches, Crimmins was one of five Hawthorn debutantes chosen for the opening game of the 1966 VFL season.

Ultimately, the match committee decided against playing him in the game, with coach John Kennedy admitting they were fearful a knock could affect him.

Throughout the next year Crimmins health deteriorated again, but by the end of the season Hawthorn was again facing North Melbourne for the 1976 VFL Grand Final.

By this stage Crimmins was confined to his sickbed, unable to even attend the game, and with live television broadcasts of the Grand Final not introduced until 1977, he was reduced to merely listening to it on the radio.

[6] A press photographer accompanied them and a famous photo was published in the newspapers showing a wasted, reclining, yet beaming Crimmins holding the premiership cup surrounded by his jubilant teammates.

The image of a stricken Crimmins holding the premiership cup and surrounded by teammates is captured in Jamie Cooper's painting The Game That Made Australia, commissioned by the AFL in 2008 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the sport.