Nine years ago, Timpano's career peaked. The 20-year-old earned his place in the Sydney FC side that claimed the inaugural A-League, by some distance the youngest member of the grand final team.
Timpano had captained Australia at junior level under Young Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou and was spoken about as a long-term Socceroos centre back.
Timpano was going places.
"That was about when I had my first major groin operation," he said.
"Pretty much from the second season onwards I started to battle."
Battle is putting it lightly - Timpano said he didn't play more than two or three games in a row for the rest of his A-League career.
Double groin and double hernia injuries and surgeries were followed by a bulging disc and its ramifications.
Then came the soft tissue injuries from his thwarted rehabilitations.
"There would not have been a muscle in my body that I didn't tear ... hamstrings to quads to calves, I had a heap," he said.
After several years and an attempted A-League reboot with North Queensland Fury, Timpano had to leave his dream of a professional career behind.
If only he could do the same with his injuries.
A new report, released by PFA this week, shows he's not alone.
Timpano is among 20 per cent of players to suffer chronic pain from injuries sustained during their career.
PFA chief executive Adam Vivian declared it's unacceptable.
"This must be addressed urgently as ensuring the physical and emotional wellbeing of our players long after they leave the game is fundamental to the attractiveness of the code," he said.
Vivian is urging FFA to take those stories on board.
"Football currently lags behind the other codes such as AFL, cricket, rugby and rugby league in terms of its investment in player development and wellbeing," he said.
As part of the collective bargaining agreement process, the PFA will argue for investment in wellness, retirement and transition programs.
It's something Timpano has managed with his own support networks.
Now 29, Timpano remains connected with the sport through his expanding 'Soccerman' coaching business but a fresh ankle injury is a reminder of what he's been through.
"I'm fortunate to have good family and friends around me, they help you get through but there's a lot more dark days than good days," Timpano said.
"You want to be able to live your life without pain."
