It’s a milestone that’s only been reached two times before by a play in the red and gold with defending Club Champion Claudia Whitfort ready to go for her 50th AFLW game today in Sydney.
With 49 games under her belt, SUNS Media take a look back at five of the best from the 25-year-oldd so far.
Round 1, 2022 v GWS – SUNS debut
Joining the SUNS with 14 games across two clubs under her belt, it was an important junction in the young midfielder’s career. In sticky conditions at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, she recorded eight disposals with seven of those possessions being contested in a sign of what she would develop in to.
Round 2, Season Seven v West Coast
A career-best game – to that point – in game #24 at the beginning of Whitfort’s second season as a SUN. A career-high 21 disposals, four tackles,12 contested possessions, and eight coaches votes for the first time in her career in a dominant display against the Eagles.
Round 2, 2023 v West Coast
It’s something about the Eagles in Round 2… Whitfort solidified her spot as one of the most dangerous midfielders in the AFLW with her finest game to date. Forming a formidable partnership in midfield with the likes of Charlie Rowbottom and Lucy Single, she recorded a career-high 33 disposals to go with 15 contested possessions and a classy goal to secure eight coaches votes in a record-shattering win against the Eagles.
Round 9, 2023 v GWS
With a finals berth up for grabs, Whitfort rose to the occasion in sparkling fashion. She fired past her previous career-highs to record 34 disposals, 19 contested possessions, five tackles and and a goal for a third consecutive week as she helped put the SUNS on the brink of a finals appearance and earned herself three AFLW best & fairest votes.
Round 10, 2023 v Essendon
With it all to play for in the final round of the home & away season, Whitfort put on a contested masterclass. An incredible 13 tackles – reaching double figures for just the second time in her career, also winning 16 contested possessions. It capped off a remarkable run to the end of the season during which she recorded seven of a maximum nine AFLW best & fairest votes. She would go on to finish equal second in the count on the league’s night of nights and win a SUNS AFLW Club Champion honour.
