The Power’s John Cahill medal was awarded to star Jason Horne-Francis, but Whitlock was honoured as the teal, black and white’s best emerging product, winning the Gavin Wanganeen award as best under-21 footballer.
Previous winners of the esteemed Port Adelaide club award include club legends such as Travis Boak and Ollie Wines.
It comes after Whitlock’s second season yielded 28 goals after playing all 23 games throughout the 2026 season, which included three three-goal hauls.
On the opposite end of the post-season spectrum, a Tatura-connected Magpie is a Magpie no more.
The harsh revolving doors of the average AFL career has made room for Jakob Ryan, with the son of former Tatura premiership player Steve Ryan not offered a contract for 2027.
Ryan, drafted with Pick 28 in the 2022 National Draft, made his debut in round 23, 2023, which would be his only game for Collingwood at the top flight.
Ryan had to overcome a fractured foot in 2025, but played 18 VFL games in 2026, however was not favoured for selection.
Additionally, Shepparton United product Riley Onley has been delisted from Melbourne.
Drafted with pick three in the 2025 AFL Rookie Draft, Onley played 18 games for the Demons’ VFL-aligned unit Casey, averaging 14.1 disposals and 3.9 marks per game.
6°C