Star Bendigo footy player Thomas Toma pleads guilty to driving on suspended licence

A Bendigo best and fairest premiership footy player has been busted driving on a suspended licence on New Year’s Eve.

Golden Square best and fairest winner Tom Toma. Picture: Essendon Football Club

A Bendigo best and fairest and premiership footballer has been busted driving on a suspended licence on New Year’s Eve.

Thomas Toma, 29, pleaded guilty to driving on the Northern Hwy in Heathcote with a suspended licence on December 31.

Toma was a star player for Golden Square in the Bendigo Football Netball League, winning best and fairest three times and being a major factor in several premierships.

He then went on to play for Essendon in the VFL in 2024 where he kicked eight goals in 12 matches.

Golden Square best and fairest winner Tom Toma played for Essendon's VFL team. Picture: Essendon Football Club

The Echuca sparky had his licence suspended in November for a duration of three months due to an accumulation of demerit points, the court heard.

Toma, told the court he thought he was on his “Golden Point” at the time, and was apparently unaware his licence was suspended.

The court heard Toma did not have criminal or traffic history beyond a few speeding infringement notices.

Toma had since gotten his licence back after the initial suspension, the court heard, with Mr saying he needed his licence to get to work and to “play footy”.

Magistrate Trieu Huynh decided not to disqualify Toma’s licence, instead placing him on a good behaviour bond without conviction and ordered he pay $250 to the court fund which is used to fund various community organisations to support services, programs, projects and events.