As Matt Whitlock’s friends and families marched their way into Marvel Stadium, a strong contingent of Bears filed into the Shepparton clubrooms.
Wednesday night was arguably Whitlock’s biggest across his 18 years, as he and his twin brother Jack attended the first round of the AFL National Draft, hoping their dreams would become reality.
Whitlock’s expected draft range was later in the first round, between roughly picks 20-30.
As the night wore on the nerves at Marvel Stadium — where the draft was held — and at the Shepparton clubrooms grew.
With each pick that passed that didn’t have the Whitlock name attached, the groans grew as the Bears faithful — made up of footballers, netballers and club supporters — became more on edge and eager to see their boys be picked.
Phones would be pulled out to film as each selection was announced before being pocketed as discussion over which club was up next took place.
With only a couple of the 27 first-round picks remaining the Fox Footy broadcast showed pictures of Jack and Matt watching on anxiously, side by side.
It was a stark reminder of how much weight of emotion and expectation these two young men would have felt was on their shoulders.
Richmond held the final pick of the first round (27) and, as the seconds counted down, it seemed like Jack and Matt would have to wait until Thursday night to hear their names called out during the remaining rounds of the draft.
However, rumours of North Melbourne — a club in dire need of talented key position players — making a buzzer-beater trade began circling the room.
It was then announced that the Kangaroos had swapped their 2025 first-round pick for Richmond’s pick 27 and a future second-rounder.
North Melbourne's recruiters loved what they saw left on the draft board and were willing to pay any price to secure what they wanted.
Phones were quickly pulled out of pockets again in the Shepparton clubrooms as the anticipation grew before it was announced, ‘With pick 27, North Melbourne select Matt Whitlock’.
Celebrations kicked off as the Shepparton crowd that had hung around for the full three hours saw their hometown hero officially become an AFL player.
Speaking on Thursday morning, Whitlock said the previous night’s moment was only just starting to feel real.
“It was obviously a bit of a rollercoaster night,” Whitlock said.
“Plenty of emotions, but it is all settling in now and I am just so happy.
“I am definitely so grateful to North Melbourne.
“Just so happy for the next few years and hopefully I can have a good career there.”
Growing up a Hawthorn supporter, Whitlock said being able to talk with his new coach — and four-time premiership coach at the Hawks — Alistair Clarkson was a dream come true.
“I spoke to ‘Clarko’ and a few of the recruiting managers that were there,” he said.
“It was good to go at the end and meet him.
“He is a good fella, I had a good chat with him and the other boys from North Melbourne too.”
While Matt enjoyed the ecstasy of hearing his name read out, the moment was bitter-sweet as it meant Jack would have to wait another 24 hours before he would have another opportunity to be drafted.
Matt said he knew Jack will go early on the second night and he can’t wait to celebrate with him at the Shepparton clubrooms.
“I am so grateful for everyone (at Shepparton), they do a lot for me and hopefully we can do it again tonight for Jack — I think he will go first or second tonight,” he said.
“It will be exciting to be (at the Bears clubrooms on Thursday).
“(Wednesday) was definitely a weird night, (Jack) probably thought he was going to go earlier and it was the same with a few others.
“At the end of the day the pick doesn’t really matter, you are on a list at the end of the day and he is gonna get drafted either way.
“He will still have a good career and that will burn in his belly a bit more.”
Jack headed into the second night of the draft as one of — if not the — best draft prospects.
Speaking on Wednesday night, Shepparton co-coach Ted Lindon said the club was proud of Jack and Matt.
“It’s fantastic to see Matt realise his dream and get drafted,” Lindon said.
“He has put in an unbelievably large amount of work and it is no surprise to anyone here.
“We are all just big supporters of both the boys.”
Being a key position player himself, Lindon has had a front-row seat to watching Matt develop his defensive craft during his time at the Bears.
Lindon said there were lots of reasons as to why Matt was such a skilled player.
“He has a lot of incredible traits that make him an incredible talent,” he said.
“His ability to cover the ground, he has put on size, he has an incredible work ethic and clean skills.
“His biggest one would be his aerial work.”
When asked whether the club had any final messages of support as Whitlock headed off to Arden St, Lindon had a simple reply.
“Always welcome back at home.”