A ruckman from Norwood with a State game on his resume, David Pittman took some time to push through into AFL ranks after winning spot on Adelaide’s inaugural list in 1991.

He was 23 when he played his first and only game of the 1992 season – and came off the bench for the first time in the last five minutes of the game. But for the next seven seasons he was a regular with the Crows, mainly in the 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 201cm Pittman and he responded in style.

Rarely seen or heard in the media, Pittman hit the headlines early in the 1997 season 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 a crucial role in the win, playing at centre half-back against St Kilda’s Stewart Loewe.

Pittman also played most of the 1998 season and collected another premiership medal. But the following year he struggled with injuries and he surprised 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 and has also worked on radio

David Pittman at the Crows

Guernsey number: 15.

Crows debut: Round 18 v Melbourne, 1992

AFC games: 131 AFC goals: 34.

Recruited from: Norwood (SANFL)

Original squad selection 1991.

DOB: February 23, 1969

He said: “If I was the one who had to wear that (Blight’s criticism) for the long-term benefit of us winning two premierships, then I’ll put my hand up and take it.”

Random info:

David obtained an economics degree at Flinders University and combined his football career with working at a stockbroking firm as an analyst.

He represented South Australia before playing an AFL game.

Crows career: