With positions of power changing at the helm, Josh Carr has taken charge from long-time servant Ken Hinkley, and with a host of new faces among staff and the playing group, Whitlock likened the return to training as the start of another first year at the club.
Drafted to Port Adelaide with pick 33 in the 2024 National Draft, Whitlock enjoyed a fruitful debut campaign for a key position selection, featuring in four games at the top flight for the teal, black and white, and kicking four goals, including three against Carlton in round 23.
The key forward admitted a taste of the big time has the teenager desperate for more, and while teammates ventured to all corners of the globe in their holiday period, Whitlock returned to his roots in Shepparton and devoted himself to returning to the club in noticeably more physical condition, with hopes the fresh clubmen see the hard yards completed in October.
“I went back to Shepparton, where my family are, got to spend a lot more time with them, my brother, friends,” Whitlock said.
“Having a taste of AFL footy late, definitely put me in a good stead, and then the off-season, just focusing on putting on a bit more size, smashing out the gym, which I did.
“I feel really good with my strength at the moment, and my running I think has been pretty good, but I’m feeling pretty confident and comfortable now, now that I know what takes.”
A tall and skinny selection, Whitlock’s raw talent came to the fore in his selection at AFL level, but the 19-year-old knows adding strength and size to his frame will be necessary to succeed at the top flight.
Hence, the youngster has been scoffing down “six meals a day” and “living in the gym” to add that extra muscle required in hopes of more career games to add in 2026.
“(Eating) lots of food ... just getting as many meals into me, I’m pretty much living in the gym (to put on size),” Whitlock said.
“To just keep developing as a person, on and off the field, be the best person I can and really contribute to the group.
“I’ll try to play as much AFL footy as I can and just keep getting better and better and better.
“I definitely back myself in and believe that I can be in the main side.
“I'm just going to keep getting better and put my name up for selection every week and make it hard for them not to pick me if I'm playing good footy and have a great pre-season.”
