Lachie Whitfield has been in the footy news this week as the subject of discussion, specifically that GWS needs to get the ball in his hands more often to maximise its chances of winning. The question with Whitfield is whether he is a talisman or a bellwether; is he the instigator of the tsunami or is he just surfing the wave? As a receiver he is always somewhat at the mercy of supply, but when he is in form he demands the ball with superior run. When he is driving the ball forward with precision the Giants are at their best, and their brand requires him to light it up... any how.
Lachie Whitfield has been in the footy news this week as the subject of discussion, specifically that GWS needs to get the ball in his hands more often to maximise its chances of winning. The question with Whitfield is whether he is a talisman or a bellwether; is he the instigator of the tsunami or is he just surfing the wave? As a receiver he is always somewhat at the mercy of supply, but when he is in form he demands the ball with superior run. When he is driving the ball forward with precision the Giants are at their best, and their brand requires him to light it up... any how.
Lachie Whitfield is the sort of fantasy tease who leads you down the garden path with promises of 120+ scores in a role built for him... only for him to get moved to plug holes by a desperate club coach and then probably get injured to boot, leaving you with burn marks and hot tears. 2023 is no different with a mooted move to a half back flank and an uninterrupted preseason. His low ownership percentages despite a history of very high ceiling performances is an indicator that he has burned just about every fantasy coach over his long career.
Lachie Whitfield is a fantasy footy punching bag, regularly being the target of scorn and ridicule by fantasy coaches who have been burned by him, usually multiple times. He is a monstrous fantasy tease, with a spectacularly high scoring ceiling when put in the right position in a functional team, but frequently injured and often pushed into roles taking him away from the ball to which he is not suited. His latest run of games have started on the wing, a position which is probably best suited to his outside talents - but can any fantasy coach ever trust him again?
Lachie Whitfield has had a quiet start to 2022 starting mostly off half back, and has become the primary whipping boy among his fantasy owners who invested a lot in buying him before the season started. Last week he shifted to half forward and saluted with two goals and a nice fantasy score, but it's not always a lucrative position for fantasy, especially for a noted sheepdog like Whitfield.
Lachie Whitfield is arguably the best utility that the league has seen since the height of Brendon Goddard, capable of starting in any third of the ground and dominating games with his tireless run. It seems amazing that he doesn't get tagged more often, as despite the Giants having a star-studded midfield they do rely on him more than any other player to make their gamestyle work. Opposition analysts tend to want the entire team's run to be locked down at once, which is not quite the same thing, but Whitfield usually gets his numbers regardless.
Lachie Whitfield should be popular in salary cap formats this year as the Giants will rely on him more and more to get involved in rebounds, particularly with Zac Williams on the sidelines. He may not have any scintillating skills or big clubs in his kit bag, but he does the job and won't let the side down, a valuable commodity in both real and fantasy types of football.
The great Whitfield hope
Heads turned as Lachie Whitfield delivered his most astounding season to date, dropping under triple figures on just three occasions - one due to a corked thigh, and the other a broken collarbone. He played in various roles on the flanks and wings, though he had a licence to bob up wherever he could do most damage which was often forward. The gut runner ranked fifth across the league for marks and 10th in kicks, with his teammates showing faith in his elite ability to hit a target. Whitfield had ankle surgery the week after the grand final but will be firing at all cylinders as season 2020 approaches, where speculation will run rampant in fantasy circles as to his role. Adam Tomlinson vacates a wing, which is perfect for Whitfield to seize; regardless of starting position, he'll find a way to outrun his opponent and find the footy. If you're not nabbing Brodie Grundy with pick one, Whitfield is the next best bet with his vital FWD eligibility.
Whitfield in backfield
Following Zac Williams' injury, Lachie Whitfield moved from wing to half back and earned his first Kevin Sheedy medal and All-Australian selection. The primary stat for rebounders is metres gained and he delivered in spades, generating 500 per game to rank fifth across the competition with 78% efficiency and over six score involvements per game. Whitfield lifted his total of 30+ disposal games from three to eight. The finals series provided an interesting case study for where Whitfield may play in the upcoming campaign. Following Williams return' for September, he reverted to the wing role he was known for in seasons prior, saluting with two more 30+ possession outings. Following Tom Scully's departure, heavy reliance will be placed in Whitfield to continue driving the side into attack. Selectable as a defender, he will be gone in the first three rounds.
