Appointed as captain-coach in 1957, he developed a successful but controversial game plan centred around the since-outlawed flick pass, and in 1961 led the club to its second grand final appearance, losing to Hawthorn.

Whitten relished interstate matches, playing twenty-nine games for Victoria, twice as captain-coach (1962). His keenest battles were fought against South Australia: ‘E.J. … was a bastard to play against,’ Neil ‘Knuckles’ Kerley averred, ‘but I loved him’ (Eva 2012, 355).

Aug 17, 1995 · In 1957 the club’s committee sacked Sutton as non-playing coach and, anxious to counter interstate attempts to poach Whitten, offered him an appointment as captain-coach.

Sep 25, 2016 · This was Ted Whitten's last game as a player, Rnd 5 v Hawthorn, 1970. The Dogs held on to win by 3 points. Whitten later said, 'I cried, but you couldn't tell because it was raining'. Provided we control the rucks and the air like we were doing, we’ve got a real chance.

Ted coached for one more year then became involved with the media, as a television compere and football caller on the radio. In 1978 he assisted new coach Don McKenzie whilst still maintaining his media commitments. What pen portrait of Ted would be complete without mention of the famous handshake.

Jan 4, 2019 · Whitten was a player, coach and media personality for well over a quarter of a century and gave everything he had to the great game. Nicknamed “Mr. Football”, Whitten represented everything great about the game of Australian rules football.

Aug 16, 2015 · Less than three years after the premiership win, Whitten was installed as captain-coach of the Bulldogs. It was midway through 1957 and, as Whitten recalled many years later, the club wanted "young and vibrant" leadership.

Jul 31, 2015 · Whitten played a VFL record 321 games in an inspirational 20 year playing career, captain Footscray for 212 games and coaching for 228, with over 12 seasons as playing coach. He was centre half-back in the Club’s 1954 premiership, he also coached the team to a Grand Final appearance in 1961.

Ted Whitten Born:27-Jul-1933 (Debut:23y 351d Last:38y 32d) [Coach v Coach][Games Coached] [Player Stats]

He coached Footscray from 1957-66 and 1969-71. As a player he participated in their 1954 premiership under Captain-Coach Charlie Sutton. Because of his extraordinary skill and all round ability he was dubbed Mr Football by Ron Barrassi, another Legend of the Game.