Claudia Whitfort’s bold call on what Gold Coast Suns are capable of this AFLW season

She’s gone from unwanted at St Kilda to a club champion on the Gold Coast. Now Claudia Whitfort is targeting an even greater prize — knocking Brisbane off its premiership perch.

The Gold Coast Suns are taking a leaf out of a rival’s playbook in their quest to improve on the one-and-done AFLW finals campaign of last season.

Star midfielder and reigning club champion Claudia Whitfort promises better ball movement and bolstered defensive structure from the Suns in 2024, who went to work in the off-season after their 17-point elimination final defeat to Sydney last November.

“It was pretty disappointing how we lost in that first final,” Whitfort told this masthead.

“Obviously it was amazing to make finals – for myself that was the first time – but we really came back (to training) with that fire in our belly to not just make finals, but be winning them too.

“We were back training in February, so it’s been quite a while.

“Our ball movement has really improved this year – but at the moment our focus is our team defence. The premiers of the last nine seasons have all been top four in their points against, so that is a real sticking point for us this season, being really hard to score against.”

The Suns were comprehensive victors in their final pre-season game against the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Shoring up the backline became a post-season priority for the Suns, who headhunted ex-All-Australian Katie Lynch from the Western Bulldogs and fellow key back Charlotte Wilson from Melbourne.

That new defensive duo has already made a major difference – but Whitfort warns the Suns’ greatest growth will be felt in another key area.

“I really think our wingers – Georgia Clayden, Clara Fitzpatrick and Annabel Kievet – are going to have a ripper year.

“They’ve been working so hard and our midfield is going to be able to use them a lot more this year. We think there’s some stars there.”

Claudia Whitfort's starting the season with a strong tackle 💪#AFLWBluesSunspic.twitter.com/qldhUzzhoc

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The wings have become a position in vogue in the AFL in recent years but with the extra space in AFLW, having capable two-way runners on the flanks can be an even bigger advantage.

Reigning premiers Brisbane used All-Australian Sophie Conway, Orla O’Dwyer and Jade Ellenger to devastating effect last season and it is a blueprint the Suns hope to emulate.

“You see how other teams use their wingers, especially in our space a team like Brisbane who is the best at using their wings,” Whitfort said.

“We’re taking a leaf out of their book and I think that’s the main part of our game that has improved this year.”

The Suns are taking a page out of rivals Brisbane’s book for the upcoming season. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Whitfort said Brisbane’s run to the premiership last season added insult to injury after the Suns’ campaign was cut short in the first week of finals.

With the perennial premiership fancies only a short drive up the M1, and many of the players well acquainted given the proximity, watching their closest rivals celebrate the ultimate success hit hard.

“As much as losing the final gave us that fire in the belly, I think seeing Brisbane win the grand final lit it even more,” she said.

“I think we’re pretty fortunate to have them up the road because we get to play them so often and you’re always going to improve when you’re playing against the best.

You can't let Claudia Whitfort get away at the stoppage 👊#AFLWDeadly | #AFLWPowerSunspic.twitter.com/ijLXayJGHj

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 21, 2023

“They’ve always had that kind of edge over us this year but it didn’t feel like that running out on the field to play them (in pre-season).”

The vice-captain is tipping some serious improvement from the Suns this season but wants to temper expectations for her own form, despite her rise to superstardom last year.

Unwanted by St Kilda at the end of 2021, she was thrown a lifeline by the Suns ahead of Season 6 and played two solid, if not standout campaigns in 2022.

But Whitfort was perhaps the most improved player in the AFLW last season. She ranked 11th in the competition for disposals per game, fourth for clearances and ninth for inside 50s.

Whitfort was named in the 2023 All-Australian squad after a standout season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

She and Charlie Rowbottom formed the core of one of the most damaging on-ball brigades in the game.

“It was a big jump from years before. I’m definitely not expecting anything like that (jump in form) again this year,” Whitfort said.

“Hopefully I improve again this year, but because I made such a big jump last year I’m not putting any pressure on myself. I definitely want to maintain how I finished last year.”

Originally published as Claudia Whitfort’s bold call on what Gold Coast Suns are capable of this AFLW season