Stan Wittman

Recruited from Rutherglen in the Ovens and Murray League, Stan Wittman arrived at the Melbourne Football Club with a reputation built on elite speed. A professional runner who had competed in the Stawell Gift, Wittman utilised his athletic background to become a dynamic presence for the Redlegs, initially playing as a rover and half-forward before finding his niche as a dashing wingman. His ability to break lines and carry the ball made him a dangerous distinct proposition on the expansive VFL grounds, yet he retained a forward's instinct, finishing his career with a remarkable goal-per-game average despite playing predominantly in the midfield.

Wittman was a pivotal component of the famous 1926 premiership side, providing the outside run that complemented the team's strong contested ball-winners. He remained a consistent fixture in the starting 18 throughout the late 1920s, noted for his durability and his capacity to drift forward and punish opposition defenders who failed to check his run. He retired at the conclusion of the 1931 season as a centurion for the club and one of the most potent goal-kicking wingmen of his era.