Ted Whitten
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Considered by many to be the greatest Australian-rules football player of all time, Edward James 'Ted' Whitten (1933-1995) lived his entire life for football: his club--Footscray (Western Bulldogs), his state team---Victoria and any fan or anybody in earshot of this larger-than-life character.
With superb all round skills, he was one of few football players to have the ability to play any position on the field. Not surprisingly, he was regarded by his contemporary team mates and opponents in the 1950's and 1960's as the greatest player of his era. He was the first inductee of the AFL's hall of fame for legends in 1996. He grew up in the western suburbs of Melbourne-- Braybrook and Footscray. By the age of 16 was playing in senior (over 18) teams.
Whitten lost his battle with cancer in August 1995. Such was his popularity he was given a state funeral, had a bridge named for him and a statue erected at the Bulldogs former home ground Whitten (Western) Oval in west Footscray.
Height: 183cm Weight: 88kg Played 321 games, Footscray, 1951 - 1970 Career Goals: 360 Premiership 1954 Captain 14 years, 1957 - 1970 Coach 13 years, 1957 - 1966, 1969 - 1971 Club champion 5 times, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961 Club Leading Goal kicker 3 times, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1968 Victorian representative player 29 times