PRESSURE: Greater Western Sydney's three No.1 draft picks, Tom Scully, Jonathon Patton and Lachie Whitfield. Source: The Daily Telegraph
THESE three Giants eat pressure at Breakfast Point.
GWS's three No.1 draft picks, Tom Scully, Jonathon Patton and Lachie Whitfield, have had to deal with the scrutiny that comes with being touted as the best youngster in Australia.
They are also the aces the Giants hope will lead the youngest squad in AFL history to premiership glory over the next decade.
Whitfield hasn't had a decent night's sleep since his name was read out by AFL boss Andrew Demetriou seven days ago.
But he is settling into the Giants' Breakfast Point base and has already identified Scully as a player he wants to emulate.
"I'd like to model my game on him," Whitfield said.
"I'm going to jump in his training group whenever I can and feed off him."
While Patton (197cm) towers over Whitfield (184cm), Scully (182cm) is a similar size and has a similar style.
"I've been to two training sessions so far and he (Scully) has really caught my eye as the hardest trainer with the biggest work ethic," Whitfield said.
"He's not really tall and we both have good endurance."
Scully is happy for the teenager to stay close and learn.
As well as being able to compare notes on playing in the midfield, the former Demon can teach Whitfield to cope with the mental pressure of being a top pick.
"You have to embrace it, you can't shy away from it," Scully said.
"Nothing prepares you for being picked No.1.
"The attention is very confronting. Everyone wants a piece of you. It's a great honour but it comes with great expectations and responsibility."
Carlton are the only other club with three No.1 selections in the draft.
Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Matthew Kreuzer were taken first in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 drafts.
"Clubs don't put an emphasis on who's No.1, we're all treated the same," Scully said.
"You have to be the player you are, not somebody you're not. You always have people who will have opinions about how you are going. It's your teammates and coaches that count."
Whitfield's teammates include more than a dozen players he has played with as part of the AIS program and for the Victorian country team.
"It was great to see the players I haven't seen in ages," Whitfield said.
"I walked into the club already knowing so many of the guys.
"So much of the club were in the same position as I am just last year."
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