Bob Bignall was a capable defender in Australian football, but also played first-grade rugby league high-level cricket in Australia as well. As a footballer, he made 424 club appearances over 24 years with the Corrimal Rangers, Woonona, North Shore, and South Coast United. He was capped 20 times for Australia, captaining the team at the 1956 Olympics, and competed 26 times for New South Wales. He was inducted into the Football Federation Australian Hall of Fame. In rugby league Bignall played two seasons with Corrimal in the 1950s. After his retirement from sports he raised greyhounds.
Australia