As a forward or ruckman, Wilkinson spent two seasons at Richmond after failing to make his mark with Melbourne. His 21 goals in the 1960 VFL season was enough to top Richmond's goal-kicking.
The next phase of his career took place in the Northern Tasmanian Football Association (NTFA) where he played with City-South. He made a total of 204 NTFA appearances for City-South and was their 'best and fairest' winner in 1968. As captain-coach during the 1960s, Wilkinson steered his club to premierships in 1962 and 1966 as well as a win over Hobart in the 1966 Tasmanian State Grand Final at York Park. Wilkinson represented Tasmania at the 1966 Hobart Carnival, amongst his six interstate games.
After retiring, Wilkinson was a commentator on ABC radio for the NTFA and Statewide League. He has also served the NTFL as an administrator.
Inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame in 2007, Wilkinson has also been honoured as the captain of the official City-South 'Team of the Century'.
Victoria (VFL) 26.24 (180) defeated Tasmania 11.13 (104), at North Hobart Oval, 9 June 1966, crowd: 20,047 Tasmania 19.27 (141) defeated Victoria (VFA) 7.11 (53), at North Hobart Oval, 11 June 1966, crowd: 23,764 Western Australia 17.13 (115) defeated Tasmania 16.10 (106), at North Hobart Oval, 16 June 1966, crowd: 10,199 South Australia 14.7 (91) defeated Tasmania 9.13 (67), at North Hobart Oval, 18 June 1966, crowd: 23,368
