The second round of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships saw several midfielders/utilities press their claims for selection in the first round of the draft.
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In the absence of a dominant power forward like 2011 No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton, the weekend saw big performances from Whitfield's teammate Ollie Wines; South Australians Sam Mayes, Troy Menzel, Ben Kennedy and Sam Colquhoun; Vic Metro pair Nick Vlastuin and Jackson Macrae; and Western Australia's Josh Simpson - none of whom stand taller than 190cm.
But none were quite as eye-catching as Whitfield's best-afield display in Country's 94-point thumping of Queensland on Sunday.
Whitfield won Vic Country's award for best player in last year's national carnival, but school football commitments have made it difficult to properly assess his form in 2012.
The 17-year-old has played just one game for his TAC Cup club, the Dandenong Stingrays, and was rested for Country's first match of these championships.
But he quickly dispelled any doubts over his form with 27 possessions (at 85 per cent disposal efficiency) and three goals in a dominant display at Visy Park.
"We haven't seen a lot of Lachie since the AIS-AFL Academy games against Box Hill and on tour in Europe, but he reminded everyone of his class at the weekend," AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan said.
"His use of the ball is quite exceptional, which is obviously the key to the game. His left and right-foot distribution is brilliant and he's shown that he's dangerous around goals as well.
"He can really play in any of the running positions from half-back, through midfield and up forward.
"He's an elite runner, no doubt about that, and an elite decision-maker, but he's still a lightly built youngster so he will have to develop some strength."
Whitfield started up forward against Queensland before switching onto a wing in the second half. Late in the game when there were a few hands on hips on both teams around the ground, he was still running hard off the ball.
Wines is a different type of player. On Sunday, 17 of his 31 possessions were contested, and he has the tools to make an immediate impact as an AFL on-baller.
"Ollie is a competitive beast," Sheehan said.
"It's probably the most important attribute to have - to love to compete and win the ball in a contested situation.
"He's done that consistently at TAC Cup level this year. He's been a big mover [in draft calculations] as this year has unfolded. He was a late addition into the AIS-AFL Academy group and he didn't miss a beat."
Menzel booted six goals in SA's win against the Northern Territory in Adelaide a week after kicking nine against Tasmania, while Macrae also helped himself to a six-goal haul.
Colquhoun and Kennedy gathered 36 and 31 possessions respectively for SA, while Simpson had 19 touches and kicked three goals for WA.
