He had been omitted from the Hawks team.
From that point on, however, Whitecross hasn’t looked back.
He was given a senior recall for the Hawks' Round 7 win over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, and since then, has missed just one match - the Round 12 win over the Lions at the MCG this season.
For the first time in his five-year career, he had achieved continuity in his football, and it has served as a catalyst for his good form and growing confidence at AFL level.
“Being able to string consecutive games together has been a big contributor to the form I’ve been in this year,” Whitecross said.
“I played my best footy towards the end of last year, got a good pre-season out, started the year well and I’m hoping to take that through to the end of the year as well.
“Being able to play consecutive games and being able to build on my momentum was certainly something that helped me.
“I see myself as a part of this senior squad now.”
So far this season, Whitecross has proved to be one of the Hawks’ most improved players, with his pressure, ability to find the football and sense around goals a key component of the 2012 Hawthorn model.
His disposal rate has lifted, averaging 21 possessions in his 12 games this season, compared to gathering 16 on average in 21 matches last season.
Contributing to his good form, Whitecross says is the knowledge of the Hawthorn game style, but also assisted by the philosophy instilled by coaches - know your role, play your role.
“(My focus) is just coming into the side and knowing what I have to do, knowing my role and playing it, and obviously playing well,” he said.
“Knowing my role and playing it to the best that I can, that’s all that the coaching staff ask for - nothing more, nothing less.”
Having the belief in your own ability plays a big role in AFL football today, and Whitecross knows that better than anyone.
The 183cm forward reflected on the role his teammates and coaches, both past and present have played in his ability to achieve that “confidence and belief” that he belongs at AFL level.
“Since I’ve been at the Club, players have been very strong in encouraging me to play the way I play, in my own way because they knew what I could do,” he said.
“The coaches have played a massive role in that as well because they knew what I was capable of and they’ve been very strong in encouraging me to bring it out.
“Out of the two, I think the coaches have been massive in getting me to bring it out of myself and play the way I can.”
The journey for Whitecross, however, hasn’t been without its ebbs and flows.
Missing five consecutive matches at the beginning of last season, Whitecross joined the Club’s VFL affiliate, Box Hill and attempted to show Coach Alastair Clarkson that he has something to offer the Hawthorn seniors.
Once he did get the call up for that Round 7 match against the Power, however, Whitecross admitted he felt the pressure.
“There’s not a massive difference (between AFL and VFL) but the tempo of the game steps up just that five or 10 per cent more, and you really notice it,” he said.
“As a young player trying to cement your spot in the side, and trying to play well every week, coming back into the side after five weeks, you put a lot of pressure on yourself.
“I found though, that if I could just come in and play my role, I was going to be able to hold my spot and then once I got more games in I was able to build, get more confidence and play better.”
There is no doubt now, however, that Whitecross is part of the Hawks’ best line-up, an idea proven by his immediate recall from a hip injury for the 50-point win over Carlton at the MCG.
His rise in AFL circles has been a long time coming, but he wouldn’t change a minute of it, particularly his five-week spell in the seconds last season.
“Its held me in good stead for this year,” he said.
Kate Salemme is a member of Hawthorn Football Club’s Digital media team reporting exclusively for hawthornfc.com.au from the Ricoh Centre.
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