[2] 2015 was when Witherden made his debut for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup as a bottom age player, he played 12 games and kicked 5 goals.

Witherden's draft year started off strongly in 2016, he was named the captain of the Geelong College 1st XVIII football team after an impressive season in 2015.

Witherden's leg was in an awkward position when Taranto came down on it with his full body weight, Alex was in severe pain and had to be stretchered off the ground.

The injury meant Witherden would finish the most important year of junior football having played just two games of TAC Cup.

[5] He took advice during the setback from fellow draftee and friend Jy Simpkin, who broke his right leg a month earlier[6] and Carlton player Darcy Lang who suffered a similar injury.