LACHIE Whitfield returns to finals a more resilient footballer and rounded person, having learned all manner of lessons under the tutelage of boxer Sam Soliman during a six-month ban.

Whitfield made a delayed start to this season in round eight, having been suspended for attempting to evade a drug test.

The 23-year-old was barred from training with GWS until March this year. Wanting to make the most of his time in isolation, the former No.1 draft pick contacted former IBF middleweight champion Soliman.

Soliman pushed the fresh-faced midfielder to breaking point during sparring sessions, the first of which started with Whitfield being ordered to punch on when he wanted leave to vomit.

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Soon they were going 12 rounds in the ring. No headgear.

"He knocked me out a few times," Whitfield recalled.

But the relationship, which remains strong with the pair chatting regularly, improved more than Whitfield's strength and conditioning.

"He's quite a coach, not just a boxing coach but a life coach," Whitfield said.

"I did a lot of community service with him during my time, just trying to give back.

"It's changed who I am, definitely, that ban. It's made me a better person."

It would be unfair to describe Whitfield as a bad person prior to his indiscretion in 2015, which came to light a year ago and threatened to derail his maiden finals campaign.

But the softly-spoken youngster knows the consequences of his error could have been severe.

"For about a 48-hour period leading up to the ban I honestly thought that I was going to get banned for four years," he said.

"Four years is just about career over.

"It was slipping away for sure. It just felt like it was water running through my fingers.

"To come back and play this year, and have a crack at another finals series, obviously it means I definitely don't take anything for granted now."

Whitfield admitted it was "quite a relief" when the story broke a year ago.

"It was just good to get it out there in the open," he said.

"I had to ring my mum and tell her that it was all happening. That was definitely the hardest part."

Playing his first final was relatively easy. Whitfield promised coach Leon Cameron the immense scrutiny wouldn't affect him.

Sure enough, Whitfield starred in an upset win over Sydney.

"Promises within our footy club are pretty big things," he said.

"Being able to represent my family and make them proud at the same time was quite important.

"And it was a final, so you just get this extra adrenaline."