In just his fourth week as an AFL player, Jack Whitlock experienced his first open training, where he had a pleasant encounter with a young fan. 

Presented with a shiny Port Adelaide poster and a Sharpie, Whitlock glanced down, with the assumption his face wouldn’t be on the poster. 

To his delight, the club’s marketing team had been working overtime, and the 18-year-old was already featured on the newest version of the team sign. 

The key forward gave a wry smile before signing the young boy’s page, right next to his photo and the number 17. 

In a short period of time, Whitlock has come a long way. It feels like a lifetime ago that he sat in Marvel Stadium’s Victory Room, alongside twin brother Matt, on the first night of the National Draft. 

Both boys had been invited along, with the pair touted as possible first-round picks. 

Whitlock had a busy draft night, watching as his brother Matt was taken with the final pick of the first round. Image: Matt Sampson.

“It was pretty stressful, and North obviously had that last pick and the cameras were on us,” he reflected. 

“We didn't know which one of us (was going to be called). It was just a whole lot of emotions and stress let out. But I was super happy for him.” 

Whitlock was visibly emotional on the Fox coverage when Matt’s name was called with that final pick of night one – it was a mix of relief for his brother and disappointment for himself, knowing a long day of waiting was ahead of him. 

“Obviously, North are a good club, and he was pretty happy to go there. So I was just happy for him, and got to share that moment with him, our mates and family, which was good.” 

Whitlock was finally taken at pick 33 on the second night, with Port Adelaide recruiters pleased to see the Murray Bushrangers product still on the table. 

While deep down, he felt confident he would eventually land on an AFL list, there was still a nervous wait, and an element of the unknown. 

To be picked up by Port Adelaide was both relieving and exciting for Whitlock. Image: Matt Sampson.

“I just felt relief, pretty much,” Whitlock said. 

“I didn't really know which club, because I knew there were clubs with picks before that were interested in me. I wasn't sure if it was going to get to Port and then I did.” 

Good mate and fellow country Victorian Joe Berry joined Port Adelaide as pick 15 on night one, with the duo excited to be reunited, but as AFL players. 

“It's pretty good, especially to be with Bez (Joe Berry),” Whitlock said. 

“I’ve played a lot of footy with him, so that's pretty cool. I met him in under 16s, and then played the first bit of Bushies (Murray Bushrangers) with him, and then I got injured, so didn't really play too much for that year. But then we were still in Vic Country together, so we got to build our relationship a bit more.  

“We’ve played in the same forward line our whole career, pretty much. So I’ve always had him at my feet and vice versa.” 

Likening his playing style to the King brothers, Whitlock prides himself on his movement around the ground. 

“I’d say I have a lot of athleticism and mobility,” he said. 

Whitlock prides himself on his athleticism and his mobility, both of which are desirable traits for the modern forward. Image: Matt Sampson.

“Love to take lots of big marks, and then I'm also very agile and good below my knees, which sets me apart as a tall guy.” 

The 200-centimetre forward looks up to some Power stalwarts, but was also excited at the prospect of training alongside some of the club’s young stars. 

“Just getting in and seeing the older guys, like Boaky and Ollie Wines – I went to same school as Ollie, so it’s good to meet him and play alongside him,” he said. 

“And then also Jason Horne-Francis, Zak Butters, Connor Rozee, those big names are also pretty cool.”