1. Ted Whitten was passionate about interstate football and made 29 appearances for Victoria, and was a leading promoter of State of Origin along with his South Australian sparring partner and friend Neil "Knuckles" Kerley.
22 Facts About Ted Whitten
1. 2.
Ted Whitten was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1991, and in 1995, frail and in the final stages of the disease, received a farewell lap of honour during a State of Origin match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, later ranked as football's most unforgettable moment.
3.
Ted Whitten was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and elevated to Legend status in 1995.
4.
Ted Whitten grew up in the western suburbs of Braybrook and Footscray in Melbourne.
5.
Ted Whitten made his senior VFL debut in Round 1 of the 1951 VFL season against Richmond at Punt Road Oval and joined a special group of players who scored a goal with his first kick.
6.
Ted Whitten later said that Fraser did him a favour that day, hardening his attitude and making him realise that League football was a no-nonsense game that only the toughest could succeed at.
7.
In Round 5 against St Kilda at the Western Oval, Ted Whitten kicked two goals in a 28-point win, but he suffered a serious injury to his left ankle.
8.
Ted Whitten was a key member of Footscray's 1954 VFL Premiership victory, the club's only premiership until 2016.
9.
However, the club faded away even though Ted Whitten continued to excel.
10.
One of the best exponents of the "flick pass", which was eventually banned, Ted Whitten was one of few football players to have the ability to play any position on the field.
11.
Ted Whitten was regarded by his contemporaries in the 1950s and 1960s as the greatest naturally talented player of his era;.
12.
When Footscray refused the clearance, Ted Whitten threatened to retire, and the matter was only resolved when former teammate Jack Collins took over as club president and convinced Ted Whitten to return and play under his former coach Charlie Sutton.
13.
Ted Whitten continued to coach Footscray until the end of the 1971 season.
14.
Ted Whitten was chairman of selectors for the state team after retiring from playing football.
15.
Ted Whitten was a key promotional tool for the series, often featured promoting the Victorian team with his saying "Stick it right up 'em", and had a profound impact on the concept during his time being associated.
16.
Ted Whitten inspired many players during his time as a selector including Paul Roos, Danny Frawley and Jim Stynes.
17.
Ted Whitten is heard answering questions humorously on the song.
18.
In 1992, Ted Whitten was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to Australian football.
19.
Ted Whitten is one of only three Australian rules footballers recognised as a Legend of Australian Sport in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, alongside Ron Barassi and Leigh Matthews.
20.
In 1995, Ted Whitten went public with the announcement that he was suffering from prostate cancer.
21.
News of Ted Whitten's passing was broken live on an episode of The Footy Show.
22.
Ted Whitten currently rests at Altona Memorial Park in Melbourne's west.