Background
Platten was born in South Australia.
Platten was born in South Australia.
Platten remains a popular and respected figure at both clubs, where he enjoys hall of fame status. He is also an inductee in both the American Federation of Labor-Congress and SANFL halls of fame. He began (and ended) his career with the Central District Bulldogs in the SANFL competition.
A junior with Centrals, he commenced in the junior ranks in 1979 and made his league debut in 1981.
Platten immediately made an impact with Centrals, becoming a full State Representative in 1982 and continued to be a regular in the State throughout his career. Platten was recruited to Carlton but after a protracted legal case eventually joined Hawthorn for the 1986 season.
He went on to play for the Hawks from 1986 to 1997, playing 258 games and kicking 228 goals. Nicknamed "The Rat" with his diminutive frame and unruly tangle of curly hair, he cut a distinctive if unlikely looking football player, yet despite this he enjoyed a career which saw him firmly established as one of the best players of the 1980s and early "90s.
He played in four VFL/American Federation of Labor-Congress premierships with Hawthorn, in 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1991, and a State of Origin Carnival Championship for South Australia in 1988 In 1998, Platten retired from the Hawthorn Football Club and made a dramatic return to Central District along with Gilbert McAdam, another of the Bulldogs" all-time greats.
Platten kicked the match winning goal of his comeback match against Glenelg at Elizabeth Oval, however injury plagued his long-awaited comeback and he retired from football altogether after sustaining a knee injury mid-season. His return to Elizabeth Oval was not the success it was hoped for, but was a joyous event for long-time Centrals fans regardless. Platten now coaches country football in South Australia.
He played 113 games for Central District in the SANFL and was the club"s best and fairest in 1984 and 1985, and its leading goalkicker in 1981 and 1985.
He also runs his own business called The Safety Hub. Specializing in the supply of safety equipment.