David Pittman

Biography

AFC Debut Number: 46               AFC Debut Game:  Round 18 v Melbourne, 1992

AFC Career Guernsey Number: 15

A ruckman from Norwood, David Pittman took some time to push through into AFL ranks after winning spot on Adelaide’s inaugural list. He was 23 when he played his first and only game in 1992 but for the next seven seasons was a regular in ruck or defence. Pittman joined Norwood from Prince Alfred College and had his early progress stalled by a serious knee injury. But he always showed promise and the Crows were patient with the big man, who spent his first couple of full seasons supporting Shaun Rehn.

When Rehn went down with a knee injury early in the 1995 season, much of the ruck responsibilities fell on Pittman and he responded in style. Rarely seen or heard in the media, Pittman obtained an economics degree at Flinders University and combined his football with working at a stockbroking firm. But Pittman hit the headlines early in 1997 when coach Malcolm Blight publicly criticised his performance after a game at the MCG.

However, after two weeks out of the team he returned and stayed there until the grand final, when he played at centre half-back against Stewart Loewe. Pittman also played most of the 1998 season and collected another premiership medal. The following year he struggled with injuries and he surprised the Club by retiring after injuring a knee with two rounds to play in 1999. He later spent some time at Port Adelaide as a ruck coach.

He is a member of the AFC Team of the Decade 1991-2000