GEOFF WHITTON
(Click pictures to enlarge)
Whitton was a superb ruckman, although relatively short for this position at just over 6ft, he possessed an enormous leap. It was this athleticism that saw him dominate the rucking duels of the TFL in the sixties. Whitton was extremely mobile for his size, a trait that was rare in ruckmen of the time. Stylish and spectacular was the only way to describe the way he played. His ability to overcome adversity and give team mates first use of the ball made him one of the stars of the League.
Geoff Whitton commenced his career at senior level in 1959 with Sandy Bay and 134 games later had played in a premiership, won a William Leitch Medal and represented the State.
The 1966 Tasmanian carnival team. Geoff Whitton is pictured standing next to Peter Hudson in the middle row, fifth from the left.
In the early sixties he was a regular at both TFL and State level and his ability was soon recognised with club best and fairest in 1963 & 1964. A William Leitch Medal also in 1963 was followed with team honours in 1964 with a Sandy Bay premiership under the guidance of Rex Geard. That year the Bay took the flag from a determined New Norfolk with Whitton easily the outstanding player on the ground.
At State level he represented Tasmania in four consecutive years culminating in the 1966 Carnival held at North Hobart. It was here that despite his lack of height he more than held his own against the likes of Victoria's John Nicholls and Polly Farmer. So much so that Whitton came under notice of the legendary Norm Smith who recruited him to Melbourne. He played for the Demons during 1967 and part of the 1968 season before being lured, mid season, back to Tasmania to coach Ulverstone on the North West Coast. Believe it or not Whitton was offered more to coach and play for Ulverstone than he was to play for Melbourne in the VFL. How times have changed! Ulverstone made the Grand Final that year only to be beaten by East
Devonport coached by none other than Graeme "Gipsy" Lee. Whitton remained at Ulverstone until the end of 1970 and returned to Sandy Bay the following year. It was 1971, and during a pre-season practice game Whitton ruptured his Achilles tendon. He was out of football for a year and despite a rigorous rehabilitation program never regained the form that made him the star of the sixties. He made a belated comeback after a year on the sidelines in 1972 before retiring as a player mid season to pursue business interests.
In 1990 Geoff Whitton again returned to the football limelight to coach Sandy Bay. He took over the coaching mantle mid-year after the club had a disastrous start to the season. He set about resurrecting their ailing fortunes and proceeded to guide the team to 10 wins from their last 12 games and a place in the finals. Their fortune ran out however, and after leading eventual premiers, Hobart, by a big margin exited the premiership race. Geoff Whitton also chose to exit the football spotlight and called it quits once and for all.
He has recalled the players of his era in the TFL were some of the toughest characters he had encountered anywhere. He remembered team mate Barry Burrows charging into Clarence's Derek Parremore during a match one day only to see both players soon leave the ground in a confused state. Dale Flint was one of the best, with his long kicking and miserly approach at fullback making him a match winner. His hardest opponent was Glenorchy's Kevin Baker who he stated because of his size and awkward nature was always difficult to beat. " You always knew you would have a hard time of it against Glenorchy " Whitton recalled.
These days he runs a car business in Hobart. Whitton is still as stylish as ever and seems not to have aged in the years since he played for the Bay.
Geoff Whitton was a great athlete who will always be remembered for his style, fitness and ability to overcome adversity.
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