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Born:Â March 17, 1963
Recruited:Â Central Districts FC, South Australia
Played: 1986 – 1997
Debut Order:Â 704
First game:Â Round 1, 1986
Final game:Â Round 22, 1997
Guernsey:Â 44
Games:Â 258
Goals:Â 228
Premierships:Â 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991
Night Premierships:Â 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992
Club Champion:Â 1987, 1994
2nd Club Champion:Â 1988, 1991
3rd Club Champion:Â 1986
Life Member:Â 1991
Team of the Century:Â 2001
Hall of Fame Inductee:Â 2005
VFL / AFL Honours
Brownlow Medal:Â 1987 (tied with Tony Lockett, St Kilda)
2nd Brownlow Medal:Â 1989
State Representative 8
All-Australian:Â 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992
VFL/AFL Life Member:Â 1999
AFL Hall of Fame:Â 2003
John Platten is one of the most unlikely players ever to play VFL/AFL Football. A mere slip of a man, skinny with a great mop of hair, he was blessed with enormous courage and a real talent for playing football at the highest level, as his Brownlow Medal, All-Australian and premiership honours attest.
He had lightning speed and terrific endurance which most taggers had trouble matching. He was also a good mark overhead. He would always burrow under packs, scrounging for the football and loved to kick a goal. Platten was a very determined and courageous on-baller and a major player in the success of the 1986 to 1995 era. A greatly admired teammate and much loved by his adoring fans.
