Whitlock brothers on the scoreboard in 2025 in classic twin fashion

The elder Whitlock twin, in his third consecutive appearance for the Power after making his debut in round 21, had his first opportunity to convert deep into the first quarter against the Blues on Saturday.

Playing at Marvel Stadium where the Bears export dazzled for Vic Country in his draft year, Whitlock burst away from his opponent inside forward 50 to take a diving chest mark 45 metres out from the goalmouth, on a slight angle.

The 200cm talent then effortlessly sailed a drop punt through the middle of the big sticks from the cusp of the arc, before he was quickly swamped by Port Adelaide teammates.

But that wasn’t the end of Jack.

In the third term, the 19-year-old floated across to a near-identical spot inside the forward line as the Power transitioned from their back half, taking another mark untouched by a Carlton opponent.

Whitlock again laconically laced out a kick from the arc that travelled well beyond the goal line, providing a bright spark to Port Adelaide’s down day in Victoria.

One more opportunity came up in the dying stages of the match, with teammate and fellow first year player Christian Moraes swinging the ball across the face of goal to find Whitlock bursting out to the fat side for another uncontested clunk in the pocket.

Whitlock displayed his versatility and the ever-growing skill set of key forwards in the modern game, snapping around the body to kick his third of the afternoon and the final major of the day.

The teenager top scored for the teal, black, and white, with Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley lauding the youngster’s development.

“I really like what Jack’s done, I think he’s been a really good player,” Hinkley said.

“He was fantastic today, he kicked three goals, that’s a pretty good effort in a team that wasn’t giving him a lot of opportunity.

“(Whitlock’s goal) is put on a bit of size, get a bit of volume into your body that can cope with AFL football - he’s not ready to physically play AFL right now, but when you are where we are we take the opportunity to give him some experiences that will only help him through the pre-season where he will hopefully get a bit bigger, a bit stronger.

“That’s still a work in progress but he’s a first-year tall forward, they take a fair bit of time and you have to be patient, but I’m pretty optimistic around what his future looks like.”

As is often the case with twins though, Jack had to share the limelight with his brother.

Although in this instance, it would be hard to believe he’d have cared.

Starting as the substitute in his second game of AFL football, Matt Whitlock was thrust into the action early on at Tasmania’s NINJA Stadium as key forward Cameron Zurhaar came from the field with an injury.

Battling away against a spirited Richmond defence, it wasn’t until halfway through the fourth quarter that his moment arrived.

Reading the drop of the ball off a pack mark contest, Whitlock waltzed out the back to slam the ball through from the goal square, before being swarmed by Kangaroos teammates as the club reached party time in the final term.

The Roos’ win was their fifth of 2025, while it was Whitlock’s first time joining in the chorus.

Mooroopna man Tom Brown featured in for the Tigers in the loss, while fellow GVL Cats product Clayton Oliver did all he could for his Demons against Jarman Impey’s Hawks, recording 28 possessions and a goal in the 36-point loss.

The Shepparton product at Waverley continued his starring season in Hawthorn colours with 29 touches, while Invergordon export Lachie Ash continued to firm his case for All-Australian selection with 26 disposals in GWS’ season-defining win over Gold Coast.

Ollie Wines and Joe Berry were also solid contributors alongside Whitlock for the Power, as was Mooroopna export and North Melbourne skipper Jy Simpkin beside the other Bears brother.

First-year Eagle Jobe Shanahan (Moama) featured in West Coast’s mammoth loss to the Bulldogs as round 23 closed out on Sunday.