Why Lachie Whitfield stuck fat with Giants despite thinking he’d return home after two seasons

When Lachie Whitfield was drafted to the Giants in 2012, he thought he would “do the two years” and request a trade back to Victoria. Ahead of game 250, he opens up on why he stayed.

Former number-one draft pick Lachie Whitfield admits he initially thought he would return to Melbourne after being selected by the Giants, as he prepares to celebrate his 250-game milestone this weekend against Geelong.

The two-time All-Australian has become one of the most important figures in GWS history across the past 13 seasons, winning multiple Kevin Sheedy Medals and widely being considered one of the AFL’s best half-back flankers over the past decade.

However, if he had stuck true to what he thought on draft night, it could have been two and done in Sydney before heading back to Victoria to play out his career. That was before he “fell in love” with the city, the club, and everything else life in the orange and charcoal had to offer.

Whitfield (2L) with inaugural GWS coach Kevin Sheedy, Lachie Plowman and James Stewart after the 2012 draft. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I moved to Sydney the same day all my mates went to schoolies, so I started off already a bit jealous of that,” Whitfield said. “I got up here skinny as, not that a whole lot has changed there.

“When I did get drafted, I probably thought I’d do the two years and then head back to Melbourne straight away like I suppose a lot of the kids do when they’re pretty settled in their home environment.

“I quickly fell in love with the club and in love with the city. I learned a lot in those first years in, dipping my toe in and seeing what would happen.

“The mateships you have along the way make it easy for a decision to be made. Every single time I’m in a contract year, I sign early because I know that Sydney is the place for me. Loyalty is still alive at this footy club. To be a one-club player, I’m going to get 250 this week, hopefully I’ll eventually get more.”

Whitfield has experienced plenty of success during his time at the Giants 17 finals appearances. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Perseverance became an early trait that Whitfield had to develop at the Giants. The on-field success certainly didn’t come quickly, with just one win during his first season in 2013, while he’s also battled various injuries and even a six-month suspension for an off-field issue in 2016.

However, through it all, it’s clear that Whitfield has developed an incredible affinity for the club that was largely down to the players around him.

“I’m super thankful to Wardy and Phil Davis,” Whitfield said. “The two guys that really shaped the culture of our footy club, they taught us to be good people and to work hard.

“That’s what the footy club has been built on, the foundations. There’s an underlying culture that’s stuck through the whole way, but then there have been different groups of players that have come in and added their two cents to it.

“We found it tough early, we lost a lot of games. But since that happened, we’ve been pretty successful without winning it. We’ve played in finals for a lot of my career. It’s just been a really good place to not only grow as a footballer, but also grow as a person.

The influences of teammates such as Callan Ward and Toby Greene played an integral part in keeping Whitfield at the Giants and likely making him a one-club player. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I’m married now, dwindling into the 30s. I’ve grown from a naive, fun-loving kid to an adult. A lot of different coaches and mates have come through this footy club that have helped shape me along the journey, I can’t thank them enough.”

Whitfield has one last hoop to jump to before running out for game 250 this Saturday. After suffering a concussion in their last home game against Gold Coast, he still has to get through Thursday’s training session symptom-free to be named for the match.

Fortuitously, the clash against the Cats will also feature the two best players he believes he has ever played alongside – “It’s Toby (Greene) or Jezza (Jeremy Cameron), I’m not going to pick one,” he said.

But with a new lease of life in the backline since playing under Adam Kingsley, Whitfield is just itching to get back on the field and be a part of what he hopes is yet another finals campaign for the Giants.

Playing under Adam Kingsley has reignited a flame for Whitfield as he prepares to make his comeback from concussion against Geelong. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“It was frustrating not to be out there on the weekend, I love playing at Optus,” he said.

“Leon (Cameron) is still a super great friend of mine, but Kingers coming in and bringing his own game style, encouraging the run and carry, it did reignite a little flame in my career for sure.

“Pairing up with Lachie Ash down the back has been super helpful to me as well in a nice little tandem there. It’s just really enjoyable. When you enjoy your footy, you’re having fun, and you usually play better, and that’s definitely happening over the past year or two.

“I suppose 250 games is a reflection that you’re getting on a bit. But only halfway through the season, I’m just wanting to get back and play well. I’ve had two weeks off, so I’m missing the game a bit, and I’m ready to go.”

Originally published as Why Lachie Whitfield stuck fat with Giants despite thinking he’d return home after two seasons