Whitfield’s star continues to rise
By James Matthey
The GWS GIANTS can lay claim to having yet another future star in their ranks after Lachie Whitfield earned himself the Round 10 NAB Rising Star nomination.
The 2012 number one draft pick starred for the western Sydney club with 21 possessions and five tackles to his name in his side’s 94-point loss to Carlton.
Despite the achievement, Whitfield refused to get too far ahead of himself, instead focusing on team accomplishments.
“I found out yesterday morning…I was pretty excited but then again it came in a game where we lost by 90 odd points so I was a bit neutral about it,” said Whitfield.
“It’s a good honour, there’s a lot of other great boys that have got the nomination this year so it will be good to see them at the end of the year…but for now it’s just humbling.
“I don’t think the Carlton game on the weekend was my best, compared to the Port Adelaide and maybe Melbourne games but I tried to do my bit for the team on the weekend and I was lucky enough to get the vote.”
Having missed only one game this season since debuting in Round 1 against the Sydney Swans, Whitfield said playing at the highest level has been an invaluable learning experience.
“To be honest I was a bit surprised that I’ve played nine out of the 10 games this early in my career but I’m loving the opportunity that I’ve been given.
“I’ve learnt so much just from games one to nine.
“I’m learning in leaps and bounds, my first game I was on Jarrad McVeigh and we’ve played through a variety of absolute gun players, so the nine to 10 weeks that I’ve been out on the park I’ve learnt more than I ever have in my juniors so it’s been great so far.”
GIANTS mentor Kevin Sheedy was full of praise for the talented youngster, saying his ability to read the game was outstanding for someone so young.
“He’s been a really good player for us, he’s going to be a fantastic player,” said Sheedy.
“He’s a very fine athlete and he’s got a very good footy brain, he knows where the ball’s going, he reads the patterns of play very well.
“He’s coming up to his 10th game already and we’re nearly halfway through the season so it’s a damn good effort.”
Teammate Jeremy Cameron said the classy midfielder’s skills were a valuable asset to a GIANTS outfit still aiming for its first win of the season.
“Coming into training at the start of the year in pre-season, he put his best foot forward… and really excelled in what he’s done,” said Cameron.
“He’s been outstanding and helped out the team immensely.
“His skills are one of his best assets, he can use it both sides, coming down the wings he’s very handy, he’s got a lot of speed as well so he’s really mixed in well with the boys.”
Whitfield will be hoping to add to his growing reputation when the GIANTS take on the in-form Geelong this Saturday at Skoda Stadium in the Farmers Tribute Match.
