At most AFL clubs being a No.1 draft pick would put you in a special bracket but that’s not the case for 2012 top draftee Lachie Whitfield.
The Victorian midfielder was taken by Greater Western Sydney as the first choice on Thursday night at this year’s draft on the Gold Coast, meaning he’ll join last year’s top pick Jonathon Patton and 2009 No.1 Tom Scully at the Giants.
And it’s that pair Whitfield will be seeking out as soon as he settles into his new home in Sydney, picking their brains on how to deal with the pressure of being a No.1 AFL draft pick.
“Very honoured, really humbling being picked as the number one draft pick,” Whitfield told reporters.
“With the Giants having Johnny Patton up there and obviously Tom Scully, I’m sure I’ll be working closely with them and learning what I can off them pretty much straightaway so I can get into the swing of things.”
Joining Whitfield on the trip north will be two more Victorians after Calder Cannons pair Jonathan O’Rourke and Lachie Plowman were selected by the Giants as the second and third picks.
Whitfield said being one of so many young stars at the Giants will help take away some of the scrutiny that normally follows a No.1 choice.
He also believed the team’s youngsters can work on building something special together.
“Six other boys are going up with me so in the end the number one is just a number,” he said.
“We’ve all got to earn respect … we’re all going to be in the same boat.
“Knowing a lot of the boys will help me fit in and make the transition from Melbourne to Sydney a lot easier … we’ll take the Giants to great things hopefully.”