Australian Football

Despite his penchant for downing six beers on the morning of a match, and another at half time, Ted Whitfield was a dynamic wingman who played with panache, verve and no small amount of venom. Having played briefly for Coburg in the VFA he joined South Melbourne in 1939 and made his senior VFL debut in round 12 of that year against Carlton. Service in the army prevented his playing in 1942-3 but he resumed in 1944, while the following season he produced the best form of his career, and was a key reason for South making it as far as the grand final. The grand final in question was arguably the most infamous in VFL history, and received the epithet ‘Bloodbath’. Whitfield himself was a key protagonist in the proceedings, being reported three times for attempting to strike field umpire Frank Spokes, using abusive language, and kicking the ball away after a free kick was paid against him. He was suspended for the entire 1946 season, whereupon he opted to retire, having played 54 VFL games and scored 11 goals. Whitfield’s subsequent career included a stint at Wimmera League club Ararat from 1949 to 1951 where he won a club best and fairest in his first season and was top goal kicker in his last. The consistently high quality of his performances earned him inclusion in Ararat’s official ‘Team of the Century’. 

Author - John Devaney