By Aaron Cordy
TWO locals marked a major step in realising their dream of playing AFL last week when their names were called out by recruiters at the 2024 AFL National Draft. Twins Matt and Jack Whitlock had two very different experiences over the two-day draft event held last Wednesday and Thursday, November 20 and 21, but the result was the talented key position prospects landed on AFL lists.
There was little doubt the brothers would get picked up, in what the experts touted as a midfielder’s draft, the pair are big lads with talent recruiters dream about. Matt stands at 197cm and is listed as a key forward, but he also held his own down back, playing for Victoria Country in the National Championships and the Murray Bushrangers in the Coates Talent League. Jack, 200cm, is also a key forward, and equally impressed in both the National Championships and the Coates Talent League.
On Wednesday night as the dreams of young men around the country were being realised, it appeared the Whitlocks, along with many others would have to wait until the following night for their dream to become true. But a late pick swap between Richmond and North Melbourne saw the Tigers get a future first-round pick in 2025, and the Kangaroos get a future second-round pick in 2025 and pick 27. The last pick of the night, which they used to call out Matt Whitlock.
“I’m Super pumped, so keen. It’s been pretty much a roller coaster of emotion, a lot of lost sleep but I’m super happy now. It was all worth it,” said Matt.
“I think they offered a first-rounder to get me at pick eight, then I fell away to 27, so they were pretty keen. I had a rough idea they tried to get me in the teen, but then they got the pick swap out and I had a pretty good idea that it was for me. So, I couldn’t be happier.”
For Jack the AFL dream came a day later when Port Adelaide picked him at 33, later than many experts predicted.
“I’m super excited to get down to Port Adelaide, I feel I’ll fit in well there. It’s not quite like Melbourne it’s a bit more country feel like what I’m used to, it’ll be perfect for me,” said Jack.
“I’ve got one of my best mates going with me, Joe Berry. We got drafted together so it makes it a lot easier. I’m so excited to get into it.”
While the brothers are ready to take the next step in pursuit of their AFL dream, for mum Angela it was an emotional couple of days.
“It’s amazing. It’s an overwhelming amount of emotion, I think. Such a roller-coaster of feelings. But my heart is full, I’m so happy for them, I’m so proud,” said Angela.
