GWS Giants speedster Lachie Whitfield is primed to be an even more dangerous weapon in 2022 after a rare injury-free AFL pre-season, as he and his team attempt to prove the sceptics wrong.
The dasher initially excelled as a wingman after being taken at No.1 in the 2012 national draft and was then converted into a half-back flanker, winning All Australian honours in that position in 2018.
A two-time club best and fairest winner, 27-year-old Whitfield is one of the Giants’ most influential players.
In the lead-up to their season-opening derby against Sydney on Saturday, Whitfield was bullish about his physical condition.
“It’s been the first (pre-season) in a while I’ve been able to complete 100 per cent of it,” Whitfield told AAP.
“I’m feeling fitter than I usually do about this time of year which is exciting and hopefully it sets me up for a big year.
“Coming off injuries in my previous few pre-seasons, it catches up with you towards the back end of the year just because the load of the pre-seasons sets you up to cover more kilometres.”
Whitfield said he had been training as a half-back through pre-season but expected to pinch hit in other positions when required.
The Giants exceeded most pundits’ expectations in 2021 by downing Sydney in an elimination final with Whitfield confident they could improve on that this year, even though not everyone shares his optimism.
“I’ve noticed a lot off the Melbourne media are already putting us out of finals contention which surprises me a little bit,” he said.
“But if we can get a bit of a better hold on our defensive acts, I don’t see why we can’t finish better than seventh (after the home and away season) this year.”
GWS start their campaign against the Swans, who they beat in two out of three games last season, including their elimination-final thriller.
“It’s the grudge match of the year for us, so to get it at round one at a bigger stadium it will set the tone for the year I suppose, so its important to get off to a good start,” Whitfield said.
Contracted to the Giants until the end of 2027 and with Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio and Toby Greene all locked in until at least the finish of the 2026 campaign, Whitfield said there is plenty to look forward to.
“Its a really good feeling that the next five, six years of my career are going to be with a really good group of people and it’s going to be a lot of fun and there’s going to be some success amongst that as well,” he said.
Adrian Warren for AAP.
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