Shepparton’s Whitlock brothers picked for AFL Academy match, ‘Prime Train’ stars for Blighty in local footy news

By Liam Nash

Apr 25, 2024

Brothers in arms: Murray Bushrangers and Shepparton talent Matt Whitlock has been called up alongside brother Jack for the AFL National Academy. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

It’s been a big week for football in the Goulburn Valley — and it’s gotten even bigger for a pair of district products.

Shepparton brothers Jack and Matt Whitlock are set to strut their stuff for the AFL National Academy boys outfit this Saturday as part of a squad comprised of Australia’s top-touted draft picks.

Tall forward Jack Whitlock has already had a sniff of the action, booting two majors at IKON Park for the AFL Academy during a 26-point loss to Coburg VFL earlier in the month.

This weekend, however, the “twin turbos” will both feature.

Rising his stocks: Jack Whitlock impressed for the AFL National Academy against Coburg. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The squad’s height stocks were razed through injury to Dandenong Stingrays key defender Noah Mraz, which has opened the door for Matt Whitlock to stroll right through where he’ll look to announce himself in a similar fashion to his sibling.

The brothers will take to Mission Whitten Oval on Saturday to meet a table-topping Footscray VFL side with a few names familiar to the region.

GVL-listed stars Ethan Hunt (Mooroopna) and Sam Willoughby (Echuca) ran out for the Bulldogs when they trumped Williamstown last weekend, while Kialla product and AFL 100-gamer Alex Keath also starred.

In other, relatively unrelated football news, the media storm surrounding Tom Baulch — aka “Prime Train” — and his one-off cameo for Blighty at the weekend has reached tempest-level proportions.

Known for his jet-setting sell-sword antics in the Australian football landscape, Baulch appeared for the Redeyes on Saturday during a 125-point loss to Katandra in the Picola District Football League.

Leather poisoning: Tom Baulch — aka Prime Train — racked up 81 touches for Blighty against Katandra. Photo by Blighty Football Netball Club

That’s not the shocking part, though.

Blighty used Baulch plentifully as a fulcrum of the team involvements, but his ball-magnet status was lit up when “Prime Train” claimed to have tallied a ridiculous 81 disposals (20 contested) against the Kats.

This was later confirmed by statistic analysis provider Premier Data, with a collaborative video showing each and every touch of the mullet-sporting on-baller.

But here’s the kicker.

In the Premier Data Team of the Week, Baulch was snubbed for the Player of the Week despite his 329 ranking point total, 75 clear of winner Sam Murray of Wangaratta Rovers.