Lachie Whitfield has capped off a remarkable season with selection in the 2018 Virgin Australia All Australian team.
It’s the first Virgin Australia All Australian honour for the former number one draft pick, who was named on the half-back flank of this year’s team at a ceremony in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
Incredibly, in his five seasons in the AFL, this year is the first time Whitfield has ever played in defence.
Coach Leon Cameron was forced to be creative with his options off half-back after Zac Williams went down in the pre-season with a ruptured achilles.
Nathan Wilson’s departure to Fremantle led to coach Cameron looking left-field for a solution to his personnel problems.
“I was the last one there for them. I was the very last option,” Whitfield told Emma Quayle on gwsgiants.com.au earlier this season.
“Even then I think they liked the idea of my creativity off half-back but weren’t too confident I had the defensive skills to make it work down there how they wanted.
“They were good in their message to me, though. They just said, ‘you’ve got good defenders around you, they’ll talk to you and they’ll help you with it and teach you and look after you.’
“It was pretty much, ‘we’ll show you what to do and try and get you going, but rely on the players around you, use them and make the rest up as you go along.’”
Whitfield excelled with the new responsibility, averaging 26.5 disposals, 6.6 marks, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 tackles per game.
His attacking game hasn’t been lost either, sending the ball inside 50 on average 3.7 times per game while kicking six goals.
After playing almost exclusively on the wing throughout his first four seasons, Whitfield said he’s found a new appreciation for the game at the other end of the footy field.
“To be honest, I’m loving it. It’s probably the best fun I’ve had playing footy, this year,” he said.
“There’s been some things to learn but some freedom as well, and it’s just a fun position to play. Having some great players and leaders around me like Phil Davis, Heath Shaw and the rest of the defensive group has helped enormously.
“I’d still love to be a starting midfielder one day, but I’m happy to do whatever the coaches want and if it ends up that they keep me down back, it’s a pretty good place. It’s enjoyable. I wouldn’t mind staying there.”
GIANTS General Manager of Football Wayne Campbell congratulated Whitfield on the honour.
“What Lachie has achieved this season is nothing short of remarkable,” Campbell said.
“We know he’s an exceptionally hardworking and talented player but his courage in the air and ability to adapt to a new position has really come to the fore this season.
“I would like to commend Lachie on this well-deserved honour. It’s a tribute to his determination and professionalism and we’re looking forward to him continuing to develop his career further with the GIANTS.
“I’d also like to congratulate co-captain Callan Ward on his nomination in the 40-man squad. Though he didn’t make the final team, he’s been recognised for yet another outstanding season leading the club both on and off the field.”
Whitfield is the sole inductee for the GIANTS in 2018, following in the footsteps of Josh Kelly and Dylan Shiel last season.
Jeremy Cameron was the first GIANT to receive the honour in 2013, before Heath Shaw was named for the first time in 2015. Shaw was then joined by Toby Greene in the 2016 team.
