Shepparton celebrates Whitlocks’ draft destinations

Whitlock’s expected draft range was later in the first round, between roughly picks 20-30.

As the night wore on the nerves at Marvel Stadium — where the draft was held — and at the Shepparton clubrooms grew.

With each pick that passed that didn’t have the Whitlock name attached, the groans grew as the Bears faithful — made up of footballers, netballers and club supporters — became more on edge and eager to see their boys be picked.

Phones would be pulled out to film as each selection was announced before being pocketed as discussion over which club was up next took place.

With only a couple of the 27 first-round picks remaining the Fox Footy broadcast showed pictures of Jack and Matt watching on anxiously, side by side.

It was a stark reminder of how much weight of emotion and expectation these two young men would have felt was on their shoulders.

Richmond held the final pick of the first round (27) and, as the seconds counted down, it seemed like Jack and Matt would have to wait until Thursday night to hear their names called out during the remaining rounds of the draft.

However, rumours of North Melbourne — a club in dire need of talented key position players — making a buzzer-beater trade began circling the room.

It was then announced that the Kangaroos had swapped their 2025 first-round pick for Richmond’s pick 27 and a future second-rounder.

North Melbourne's recruiters loved what they saw left on the draft board and were willing to pay any price to secure what they wanted.

Phones were quickly pulled out of pockets again in the Shepparton clubrooms as the anticipation grew before it was announced, ‘With pick 27, North Melbourne select Matt Whitlock’.

Celebrations kicked off as the Shepparton crowd that had hung around for the full three hours saw their hometown hero officially become an AFL player.

Speaking on Thursday morning, Whitlock said the previous night’s moment was only just starting to feel real.

“It was obviously a bit of a rollercoaster night,” Whitlock said.

“Plenty of emotions, but it is all settling in now and I am just so happy.

“I am definitely so grateful to North Melbourne.

“Just so happy for the next few years and hopefully I can have a good career there.”

Growing up a Hawthorn supporter, Whitlock said being able to talk with his new coach — and four-time premiership coach at the Hawks — Alistair Clarkson was a dream come true.

“I spoke to ‘Clarko’ and a few of the recruiting managers that were there,” he said.

“It was good to go at the end and meet him.

“He is a good fella, I had a good chat with him and the other boys from North Melbourne too.”

Wednesday was his brother Matt’s moment, but Thursday night was Jumping Jack's time.

After coming to terms with not being picked on Wednesday, Shepparton football prodigy Jack Whitlock's dreams were realised the following night.

The talented key forward-ruck was predicted to go in the middle of the first round, but was left to wait another 24 hours before having another shot at the big time.

Shepparton footballers, netballers and supporters joined Whitlock’s family and friends at the Bears’ clubrooms to support the 199.8cm talent as he eagerly waited to find out what club he could call home next year.

Whitlock’s friends — having left their school graduation ceremony early — and family clumped around the 18-year-old as he watched the second night of the draft take place.

It took a few picks, with lots of nervous exhales from Whitlock in between, but Port Adelaide soon swooped on the young gun and secured him with pick 33.

The selection was quickly labelled the “steal of the draft” by many football pundits given Whitlock’s talent and output in 2024 as a key forward — he kicked 25 goals in 12 games for the Murray Bushrangers during the Coates Talent League season.

Once Whitlock’s name was read out, pandemonium hit the Shepparton clubrooms with the young gun swamped by friends in the traditional draft manner.