STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial Ability
+ Clean Hands
+ Competitiveness
+ Mobility
+ Overhead Marking
+ Reach

IMPROVEMENTS:

+ Goalkicking accuracy
+ Ruck craft

As far as marking forwards go, Whitlock is difficult to beat both for his sheer aerial range and mobility. He has deceptive speed off the mark and capably presents up the ground, reacting well to changes of possession and quick transitional play up the field. Once identified as the target, he is adept at either gaining separation to mark uncontested, or standing under high balls and plucking marks at the top of his reach.

Among Whitlock's intangible attributes are his competitiveness and big game ability. He has the mongrel required of key position players and steps up when it counts. One of the best moments of his junior career came in last year's Futures series, where he kicked the winning goal after the siren against Queensland. He also starred with seven marks and two goals in the Under 18 National Championships decider this year.

While adept at clunking overhead marks, Whitlock's strong hands also translate to his ground level game. He is seriously good below his knees for a 200cm player, able to meet the ball at speed and scoop it up off the deck. Whitlock's dexterity and neat fundamental skills also see him dish off the ball to runners and he has enough strength to absorb tackling pressure. If not, he boasts a deceptively good side-step.

Further to the point of Whitlock's mobility is his happy knack for scoring via snaps in open play. Whether following up at ground level or improvising with the delivery he is offered, he consistently finds a way to wheel around and produce a shot on goal. It looks great when it comes off, but Whitlock can sometimes spray wide and also has scope to straighten up his set shots. He kicked 25.22 in 12 CTL games this season.

Another area for growth with Whitlock is his ruck craft. An invaluable trait for key forwards is to provide a secondary ruck rotation, and he was a reliable chop-out option before upping his minutes on-ball towards the end of the season. Whitlock was not a massive hitout winner and can further develop, but showed great signs of clever play around stoppages with his ability to tap to himself or teammates, and help work clearances.