Ted Whitten jnr

Carrying arguably the most famous name in the history of the sport, Ted Whitten jnr faced the nearly impossible task of emerging from the shadow of his father, "Mr Football" E.J. Whitten. Arriving at the Western Oval with immense external expectations, he carved out a respectable career in his own right, proving to be a serviceable utility and dangerous forward rather than merely a famous surname. Unlike the physically imposing and dominant style of his father, Junior relied more on skill and goal sense, booting 133 goals over nine seasons and serving as a consistent contributor during a generally lean competitive era for Footscray.

He remained a one-club player throughout his tenure, retiring relatively early following the 1982 season at just 25 years of age. While his 144 games stand as a solid return given the pressure he played under, his legacy at the club extended well beyond his playing days. He became a significant figure in the wider football community through his tireless work in men's health advocacy, establishing and driving the E.J. Whitten Foundation to honour his father's memory and raise awareness for prostate cancer research.