Lance Whitnall

Career: 1997 - 2007
Debut: Round 1, 1997 vs Essendon
Carlton Player No. 1 013
Games: 216
Goals: 348
Guernsey No. 8
Last Game: Round 22, 2007 vs Melbourne
Height: 192cm
Weight: 100kg
DOB: 23 August, 1979
Captain: 2007
All Australian: 2000
John Nicholls Medal: 2006
Leading goalkicker: 1998, 1999, 2000
Rising Star Nominee: Round 1, 1997


Whitnall was taken as a father/son pick in 1996, he was recruited from the Preston Knights U/18's (his original club being Lalor). Whitnall burst on to the scene as a 17 year old with 4 goals on debut against the Bombers. Strong performances came from the young key position player and on-field leader, with a 70 goal performance in 2000 earmarking Whitnall for greatness.

In 2001, Whitnall's performances started a decline which was only reversed in 2005. Some still suggest to this day it was the loss of Aaron Hamill, his co-forward, to st Kilda.

Over 2001-2004, fitness issues for Whitnall gained much notoriety as "Big Red" was accused of being too big. Some foot and shoulder injuries - the shoulder coming after Fevola dislocated it in a collision - came at the wrong time as the Blues fell down the ladder, keeping him out of the final 7 games of 2002. Carlton fans, not used to living life on the bottom, expected much of Whitnall and it appeared his fitness would not allow for it. Knee problems in 2003 would restrict him to just 12 games.

After 70 goals from 25 games in 2000, Whitnall's output fell to 37 goals in 2001, 28 goals from14 games in 2002 and then 11 from 12 in 2003. The knives were out, but Whitnall stayed.

Improved fitness in 2004, and then a regime with his father Graeme over 2004/2005, saw Whitnall lift output, but never to the heady heights of 2000. 24 goals from 19 games in 2004 and 24 again from all 22 games in '05 showed that Whitnall could keep finally keep himself fit. But it was in defence that Whitnall shone in 2005, apart from a brilliant 5 goal game against the Swans, suggesting that maybe Whitnall's days as a key forward were over, but a 3rd in the John Nichols Medal for 2005 confirmed he was still very much required by Carlton. A 2 year contract ensued, with much interest expressed in whether Whitnall would return to the forward line, or whether he would maintain his role in defence.

Whitnall had a fantastic 2006 season playing predominantly at Centre Half Back, particularly in the first half of the year. 'Big Red' was rewarded for his efforts by being named club Best and Fairest at the end of the season, 10 votes clear of Brendan Fevola. He was later rewarded further with the 2007 Captaincy.

Lance would begin Season 2007 relatively slowly, after a degenerative knee condition had limited his ability to participate fully in pre-season training. Some time in the ruck in our sensational win over the Bombers saw Whitnall get his first real touch for the season, and in the following week against the Eagles he would take 12 marks and get 17 stats in a welcome return to form, generally back in defence. Some good games up forward would follow in Rounds 5 and 6 with 3 goals against Brisbane and St Kilda, before Lance appeared to be sent back to defence once again and seemed to be struggling. In the wash-up to our horrible smashing at the hands of the Hawks in Round 12, it was announced that Whitnall would need to be rested owing to a degenerative knee complaint. Whitnall would not return until Round 20 some 5-8 kilograms lighter (various amounts were quoted in the press), kicking a goal against Essendon in our fourth close loss in a row. In the absence of spearhead Brendan Fevola in Round 21, Lance picked up 21 disposals, 11 marks and 2 goals. A week later against Melbourne he would have 5 shots at goal but only manage 1 goal, 4 from 17 possessions.

In Round 6, 2007 against St Kilda; Lance passed Trevor Keogh's previous record of 206 games to become the Record holder for guernsey 8. He is also 9th on Carlton's all-time goalkicking list.

At the completion of Season 2007, concerns by the club about Whitnall's degenerative knee being able to stand up to the pressures of AFL football brought his 11 season, 216 game career at Carlton to an end at just 28 years of age.

At the end of his AFL playing career, Whitnall would go back and play grass-roots footy with his original club Lalor, he would also play footy in the Darwin league. In 2010, he lined up with EDFL club Craigieburn with former team-mate Ang Christou, that was being coached by Ex-Bomber Paul Barnard.

Milestones

50th game: Round 10, 1999 vs West Coast
100th game: Round 9, 2001 vs Kangaroos
150th game: Round 12, 2004 vs Hawthorn
200th game: Round 21, 2006 vs Collingwood

Career Highlights

1997 Pre-Season Premiership Player
1997 Best First Year Player
1998 2nd Best and Fairest
1999 8th Best and Fairest
2000 6th Best and Fairest
2002 5th Best and Fairest
2003 6th Best and Fairest
2005 3rd Best and Fairest
2005 Pre-Season Premiership Player
2006 John Nicholls Medal
2007 Pre-Season Premiership Captain
2007 Captain

Links

Articles: The Longest Roads to Glory! | Our Greatest Flagless Greats

Blueseum: Summary of playing statistics for Lance Whitnall | Career Breakdown | Whitnall's Blueseum Image Gallery

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