After fighting in World War II, he returned to the Victorian Football League in 1946 and retired at the end of the 1947 season.

Sports journalist Michael Roberts and former Australian rules footballer described Whelan as being "a famously cool, calm and polished performer.

“He was a spectacular player who could take a brilliant high mark and could hold his own with a ruckman,” Dyer wrote.

Fellow Collingwood player Bob Rose concurred: “He was a magnificent stab kick and could dispose of the ball perfectly while travelling at top speed.” In 1948, he was cleared from Collingwood to play with the St Kilda Second XVIII as captain-coach.

[7] Whelan worked at Carlton & United Breweries in Melbourne, alongside his coach Jock McHale.