Lachie Whitfield overcomes early career tumult to make All-Australian debut
IT’S hard to imagine but only a few years ago Lachie Whitfield wondered if he was ever going to play at the elite level a number one draft pick dreams of — he’s now an All-Australian debutant.
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IT’S hard to imagine but only a few years ago Lachie Whitfield wondered if he was ever going to play at the elite level expected of a No.1 draft pick.
The GWS midfielder was struggling with injuries and not playing well, then in November 2016 he was slapped with a six month ban for attempting to avoid a drug test.
It was a career low which is now a distant memory after the 24-year-old became just the sixth Giant to win All Australian honours.
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“Two or three years ago I thought this might never happen,” Whitfield said.
“I wasn’t sure if I could get to this level of footy. I was a fringe player for a few years and struggling to play every week. I had high expectations but in those second third and fourth years I thought I’d progress quicker than I did.
“I was frustrated not playing at the level I wanted to. Then the ban came but since then I’ve been able to turn the corner and find better form.”
As bad as the six months out of the game was it could have been worse as Whitfield faced a potential four year suspension.
“The ban changed things for me,” Whitfield said.
“It gave me a new view on footy and a different way of looking at things. I learned how to train harder and do things off field better. It gave me time to reflect on what my career was shaping up to be at that stage.”
Remarkably Whitfield’s success has come almost by accident. He was only moved into defence after Nathan Wilson left for Fremantle and Zac Williams ruptured his Achilles tendon during the pre-season.
The former Dandenong Stingray had never played in defence before but took to the backline like a duck to water.
“It’s about playing where you are needed by the team,” Whitfield said.
“It’s funny how things work out when that happens. Josh Kelly went into the midfield last year and he had a breakout season. Devon Smith has done something similar at Essendon. What I’d really like to do now is play alongside Zac (Williams) and that could happen very soon.”