Laharum young gun Chase Whelan boots nine goals in stunning performance

Seven goals in the U17s wasn’t enough for his 15-year-old. He backed it up with an incredible nine majors against the men in the seniors. His club president is seeing shades of one of the AFL’s biggest stars.

Chase Whelan playing seniors this season. Picture: Kate Wardlaw.

A country footy teenager is drawing comparisons to Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli after a stunning start to his senior career.

Laharum’s Chase Whelan, 15, has emerged as one of the hottest football prospects from Victoria’s west with his club president likening him to the Dogs skipper.

Whelan, 15, is one of the hottest football prospects to come from the Horsham District league in years and last week had two momentous achievements.

Last week, he was named in the Victorian under-15 boys team for the upcoming School Sport Australia titles before he lit up the Demons’ big Horsham District senior win on Saturday.

He kicked nine goals in a 191-point victory over Rupanyup after kicking seven in the under-17s earlier in the day.

Whelan, who made his senior debut this year, has kicked 23 goals in five games.

He got his chance in after winning the league under-14 best-and-fairest last year.

At just 15, Chase Whelan is one of the best players in the Horsham District league. Picture: Kate Wardlaw.

“I just got it delivered well to me,” he said about kicking nine goals.

“I was pretty lucky with it all.”

Whelan said the success has come as a shock.

“I was pretty surprised, it was my first year so I was not expecting to have such a good chance (to play),” he said.

“But I’ve had pretty good mentors through the start of the year through pre-season like Phillip Butsch, Robbie Miller and (coach) Shannon Argall.

“Having them help me and get me into the competition and the speed of seniors has been good. (The advice) was really just ‘you do you’.

“Play your own game and do what you feel like your best strengths are.”

@andy_munro_ Chase Whelan for Laharum in the #horshamdistrict#afl#footy#countryfooty♬ original sound - Feelingblew

Whelan said his best spot was in the forward line and hopes one day to make it to the AFL.

“It’s one of the things I’m inspired to do,” he said.

“It’s just the opportunities I get and if I’m able to take them.

“I hope to get there, but if I don’t it’s not the end of the world.”

Whelan is a third-generation player at Laharum with his father Matt and grandfather Wayne playing for the Demons.

Matt last year played in the reserves grand final win over Swifts.

Chase Whelan won the under-14 best and fairest in the Horsham league last year. Picture: Horsham District Football Netball League.

Laharum president Hamish Roberts said Whelan would be the first from the club to be drafted to the AFL if it were to happen.

The talented teenger is on the radar of Coates Talent League side, the Greater Western Victoria Rebels and is expected to make their under-15 V-Line Cup squad later this year.

“I liken him to Marcus Bontempelli in the way he moves,” he said.

“Player wise he’s got all the physical attributes to get to the AFL, if that’s what he wants to do. He’s 6’3, can run all day, he’s fast, he can kick the ball 60m on either leg.

“He’s got a real footy brain as well and can play on the ball and in any position on the ground. He’s always been part of the representative stuff since he was young.

“He’s stood out in every age group.”

Whelan’s coach and teacher Shannon Argall said his numbers are already matching those who went on to be top AFL draft picks.

“I’m a PE teacher at Horsham College and through our AFL academy we have GPS units and we have access to his data,” he said.

“In terms of his acceleration, his maximum speed, we know against benchmarks from the Coates Talent League and Rebels program he’s up there with the top draft picks. “Athletically he’s very gifted and very skilled. It’s quite a unique opportunity for our club to develop a player of his calibre.”

Despite the talent and success Whelan has remained grounded.

“He’s a really good kid,” Roberts said.

“He’s humble and he’s a good teammate.

“Last year when he won the league best and fairest a lot of kids that age could run around and do whatever they want.

“While he did do that he was a great teammate and brought his younger teammates in the game.

“He would go out of his way to give his teammates opportunities and show them the way.”