Overlooked AFL draftee Jack Whitlock’s frank message to rival clubs ahead of Port Adelaide debut
Port Adelaide recruit Jack Whitlock has declared he wants to prove every other club wrong after being taken with pick No.33 in the AFL draft.
The teenager endured a night of mixed emotions on Wednesday after twin brother Matt was taken with the very last pick of the first round, leaving Jack in tears at not having been selected as expected.
But the key forward did not need to wait long when the draft resumed on Thursday evening.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Jack was taken by the Power on a night he and many of his friends ditched their school graduation to celebrate his selection.
“Everyone was probably thinking I was going to go first (before Matt),” he told 7NEWS.
“So it was a bit of a different way around it, which probably isn’t a bad thing — let Matt have his shine.”
Jack believes his star is one of the brightest in the class.
“I’ll put my head down and get straight back to work,” he said.
“And prove everyone that didn’t pick me wrong. Show them why I’m actually up there.”
Jack will leave his brother behind in Victoria but he will be joined by best mate Joe Berry at Port Adelaide.
“I was so happy with that,” Jack said.
“Known Joe for a few years now through footy and we’ll be loving Adelaide life, I reckon.”
Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs took the mature-age route to add more power to their forward line.
Sam Davidson, 22, has joined his childhood club after bouncing around Victoria while studying to be a doctor.
“It’s bloody awesome,” he told 7NEWS.
“Over the moon that the club I grew up supporting (picked me).”
Davidson attended the 2016 grand final as a fan, struggling to see in standing room, but now stands 190cm tall.
A fifth-year medical student, placement has taken his footy to Sale, South Mildura, Maffra and then Richmond’s VFL side.
He will continue his studies while expecting to reach new heights as an AFL player.
“I still think once I get into a professional environment there’ll be lots of scope to grow in my game,” Davidson said.
