Tears turned to elation for key forward Jack Whitlock on Thursday night after his shock draft slide ended at Port Adelaide’s second-round pick.
Elation – and plenty of emotion – were prominent on night two of the AFL draft.
Matt Whitlock is embraced by his father after being drafted to North Melbourne, as his twin brother Jack Whitlock is overcome with emotion during the first round of the AFL draft on Wednesday nightCredit: Getty Images
New Eagle Hamish Davis, taken with the 65th of 71 picks, described the wait as torture.
“The most stress I’ve ever been under,” he told Fox Footy. “But I don’t care now. I’m just glad I finally got drafted.”
Whitlock must have been feeling something similar.
On Wednesday, he had watched his twin Matt realise his AFL dream with the last pick of the first round, but endured a sleepless night waiting to discover his own fate.
Another two tall forwards – Thomas Sims (Richmond) and Jobe Shanahan (West Coast) – were selected before him in the second round before the Power, who were linked to Whitlock with their first pick, finally pulled the trigger on the 200-centimetre goalkicker.
The Whitlocks skipped their school graduation at Goulburn Valley Grammar to watch the draft from the Shepparton Bears clubrooms after being at Marvel Stadium for the opening night.
Whitlock’s brother, Matt, in a shirt and tie with a North Melbourne top underneath, other family and friends swamped Jack when his name was called out.
“It was extremely stressful, but super stoked to be at Port, especially with [fellow Murray Bushranger] Joe Berry, one of my good mates. I can’t wait,” Whitlock told Fox Footy.
“Obviously, I was a bit upset [on Wednesday night] – I thought I was a good chance to go in round one, but super happy for Matt. North’s obviously a great club, too, so I’m super stoked for him, and we had a good night.”
Jack was almost universally tipped to be the first of the brothers to be picked, although Matt had some big fans and was viewed as a riser in the lead-up, based on conversations with talent scouts.
However, just like fellow key-position player Shanahan, the Whitlocks became increasingly anxious – picked up by the cameras – as the first round neared its end.
There was an explosion of emotion when AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon read out Matt Whitlock’s name.
Matt buried his head into the table in front of him, rose from his chair, then enthusiastically slammed both hands down as the celebrations began.
Jack, who was sitting next to him, embraced his brother before the tears began to flow.
After a long season of pressure and expectation, what was supposed to be Jack’s crowning moment instead must have been a bittersweet cocktail of pride, devastation, bewilderment and maybe even some embarrassment. But there was only joy when he was selected in the second round.