Athies claimed the wooden spoon last year but has been more competitive this season.
But with three wins from 10 games, there is still not much to show for its progress. Whitburn feels his side has underachieved given its talent.
"We have not got all the results we wanted," Whitburn said.
"We've got some good names on paper. It has just been a couple of decisions that have not come out our way.
"That's why we are where we are at the moment. But we have a lot of new faces and, hopefully, all the combinations start coming together in this last round."
The team is in fifth place on 19 points, so there is some ground to make up as five round-robin games remain.
Its home fixture against Maheno (third, 26 points) tomorrow shapes as crucial.
"If we win that and a couple of other results go our way, we will end up in that top four again."
With the season hanging in the balance, the side is focused on lifting its defensive effort.
"Our attack has been awesome and we've been able to score some good tries. It is more our defence and being patient that we need to work on.
"The last couple of games we've got up in the first half but teams have come back at us in the second half."
Whitburn is a lock by trade but has switched to the side of the scrum this season to help fill a vacancy.
He has been able to put his mobility to better use and, combined with his skill and physicality, the 24-year-old has made a strong impression.
"It has been a good change. It is a faster game, I guess.
"I've found I can get into open play a bit more which is quite good."
He is joined in the loose by Junior Fakatoufifita and Kafa Katoa.
The threesome teamed up for Town in the Town-Country clash at Weston last Saturday when Town held on to win 31-24.
Whitburn is a personal trainer, so there is no excuse if he starts to run out of puff with all that extra time he is spending in the open.
He will also shape as a key player to help lift the team's defensive intensity.