The move of West Perth ruckman Bryan Pleitner to a wing in 1969 by coach Graham “Polly” Farmer was an inspirational one, and proved to be a trendsetter in the Western Australian Football League.  “It was totally unexpected when Polly made the announcement,” Pleitner recalled. “It also caused some mirth and ribbing at the club pre game. Normy Knell said. “Bloody hell, I'm going home,” and I was in Norm's corner. It must have surprised many when I lined up on “the Flea”, Gary Gillespie on Saturday afternoon at two fifteen.”     The six foot two Pleitner became a leading wingman over four seasons and sixty three games for the Cardinals.  His pace for a big man was deceptive, he was a strong player who could take a good mark, and he was a good kick, especially the dropkick, making him a hard man to match up on.   Originally recruited from Kyabram in country Victoria by Footscray, Pleitner played mostly as a ruckman or key position player in his early years. After twenty eight games with the Bulldogs, he crossed over to Hawthorn, where he spent the 1968 season as a centre half back.  It was a chance meeting in a Melbourne hotel with former Footscray player Ike Whittaker that was to change Pleitner's football in more ways than one. “I made the comment that I wouldn't mind a change of scenery and would love to play in Perth,” Bryan said. “Next thing I got a call from West Perth committeeman Kevin Bradley, who must have been tipped off.” After missing a few early games in 1969, due to the residential qualification rules that were in vogue at the time, Pleitner became a key component of the West Perth side over four seasons and two premierships.  West Perth were fortunate that their Victorian recruit managed to be just as successful in his social life as he was at football. “I was only intending to stay here for twelve months,” he laughed. “But I met Cecilia, my wife, in the process, and that was the end of my plans to go back home. Perth became my home.” The retirement of Farmer with the advent of Dennis Jones saw Pleitner leave West Perth and play in the Sunday League with Midland for two years, where he returned to the ruck. In 1977 he joined Ken Armstrong at Perth as assistant coach for three seasons, before coaching his son's team at Roleystone. “He ended up in the State under eighteen basketball squad,” Bryan wryly commented. Bryan said his hardest opponents were Peter McKenna(Collingwood), Greg Brehaut(Perth), and Derek Chadwick(East Perth), while rating Ted Whitten(Footscray) and Farmer as the best he'd played with.  These days he is partly retired, but doing some work in sales, enjoys gardening and spending time with Cecilia and their two children and three grandchildren, while joining former teammates David Dyson and Mel Whinnen at the football.  Bryan Pleitner changed the set formula for wingmen in the WAFL, and his move to Perth was a decided assett to West Perth in their premiership wins in 1969 and 71.