Pettifer first attracted the talent scouts when he was awarded the Larke Medal for his outstanding performance during the Australian Vic Country's Under 18 team at the 2000 AFL Under 18 Championships.

Later in the 2000 National AFL Draft Kayne Pettifer was selected by the Richmond Football Club at number 9 overall, which was unexpected for such a short forward.

In 2009 he managed only four games for the season and badly injured his knee again in a VFL match.

Pettifer then became a high-profile recruit for Montmorency in the Northern Football League for season 2012.

Pettifer made his Montmorency debut on 14 April 2012 with a nine-goal haul in the Magpies win over Macleod.