AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Port Adelaide | SANFL | 1949-1953, 1955 | 79 | 104 | 1.32 | — | — | — | — | — |
Total | 1949-1953, 1955 | 79 | 104 | 1.32 | — | — | — | — | — |
Although his league career was comparatively short, Ray Whitaker was, for a time, unquestionably one of the leading rovers in South Australia. He made his senior debut with Port Adelaide in 1949, and immediately stood out from the crowd as a player of considerable artistry and brilliance. He was the sort of player who always seemed to have ample time to do whatever he wanted with the ball.
Between 1949 and 1953 and in 1955 he played a total of 79 SANFL games, kicking 104 goals. He won Port’s best and fairest player award in 1952, and topped the club’s goal kicking the following year with 35 goals. A carnival player for South Australia in 1950 at Brisbane and 1953 in Adelaide, Whitaker played a total of 14 interstate matches. He was a member of the Magpies’ Grand Final team against North Adelaide in 1951, and was one of the best players afield in an 11-point win.
Author - John Devaney