Whitten, who played for Footscray in the under-19s, joined his brother Ted in the senior team in 1956.
[1] He played 24 games over three seasons with Footscray, often as a centreman, then in 1959 joined Western District Football League club Casterton as coach.
[2][3] He coached Casterton to a premiership in 1960, but was then replaced in the role by two-time Essendon best and fairest winner, Reg Burgess.
[1][5] He captained the club in 1963, a year in which he finished second in the J. J. Liston Trophy, to teammate Ron Clegg.
[7][8] During his tenure, Tocumwal made three consecutive grand finals and won the premiership in 1967.