Matt Whitlock steals show after brother Jack finally drafted

A day after a devastating reaction to his twin brother’s selection in the AFL Draft, Jack Whitlock finally got his moment.

What a difference a day makes and that has proven the case for the Whitlock brothers in the 2024 AFL Draft.

Twin brothers Matt and Jack Whitlock were caught up in one of the most emotional moments of the first round of the draft on Wednesday.

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After Matt was selected with the 27th and final pick of the first round by North Melbourne, Jack was consoled by his parents as it dawned on him he would have an agonising 24-hour wait to learn if he was going to join his brother on an AFL list.

It also meant 200cm key forward prospect Jack was highly unlikely to join his brother at an AFL club, as the Kangaroos only had picks 57, 72 and 82 remaining this year.

Fast forward a day and 18-year-old Jack was absolutely beaming after he was taken with pick 33 by Port Adelaide, as you can see in the video player above.

Matt Whitlock embraced by his dad as Jack (left) reacts on Wednesday. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

And Jack getting mobbed by Matt and friends when his name was read out. Photo: Fox Sports

Jack was mobbed by friends as the pick was read out and he had a huge smile on his face as he spoke to Fox Footy.

Adding to his delight, Port Adelaide picked his close friend and Murray Bushrangers teammate Joe Berry with the 15th pick on Wednesday.

“Extremely stressful,” Jack said when asked about his long wait to get drafted.

“But super stoked to be with Port, especially with Joe Berry one of my good mates there. Can’t wait.”

Pressed on his reaction to being overlooked in the first round, Whitlock said: “Obviously a bit upset, thought I was probably a good chance to go in round one.

“But super happy for Matt, North is obviously a great club too.

“Super stoked for him and we had a good night.”

Matt was in the room and took the opportunity to make a cheeky gesture on live TV.

When his brother mentioned North Melbourne, Matt lifted up his shirt to show a Kangaroos jumper underneath.

“Go North,” Matt was heard saying as a friendly rivalry was instantly created between the brothers.

The Fox hosts then asked Matt about his brother, who expressed his surprise Jack didn’t join him in the first round.

Matt's cheeky move after Jack's selection. Photo: Fox Sports

“So proud of him,” he said. “It was a bit of a rollercoaster the last 24 hours.

“Somehow Jack’s landed all the way back here (in round two).

“But unreal, so stoked for him, Port’s a great club.”

At 197cm, Matt is also a key forward prospect, with the brothers excelling for the Bushrangers and Shepparton Football Club.

Jack was asked who he models his game on and singled out Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and fellow twins, Ben and Max King, from the Suns and Saints respectively.

“Pretty much all the athletic key forwards,” he said. “Jamarra, I like watching him, obviously the King boys, all those athletic types.”

The initial heartbreak for the Whitlock family wasn’t the only viral moment to come out of Wednesday night’s selections.

Jack in action with the AFL Academy. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

And on night one of the AFL Draft. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Jack admires Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s game. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Fremantle used the 17th pick in the draft to select Murphy Reid, but it was the 18-year-old’s reaction that caught the eye.

After his name was read out, the Victorian youngster barely offered up a smile as he hugged those sitting on his table.

Despite appearing not all that pleased after being picked up, Reid said the night had been super nerve-racking and he was relieved to have finally heard his name called out.

“(It’s) a huge relief, and I’m super pumped. It was very nerve-racking. I’m normally a pretty chilled-out guy, but tonight was quite different — I was very nervous,” Reid said.

“I met with the club around four times, so I knew if I was there around their pick, I was a good chance. But going in, I had no idea about anything.

“You’d like to think all the interviews went well and obviously they really liked me. I’m very grateful for that.”

Originally published as Matt Whitlock steals show after brother Jack finally drafted