WHEN will the smile disappear off of Will White’s face?
“Never.”
It was the interview to warm Navy Blue hearts in the immediate aftermath of Carlton Reserves youngster Will White being told that he had received the chance to go from VFL to AFL side via the supplemental selection period side.
As AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss said in the team meeting when addressing the players, White’s call-up was one person’s misfortune turning into someone else’s fortune. While all at IKON Park are rallying behind and wrapping their arms around Jagga Smith, there was genuine affection and goodwill for the boy from Warrnambool who has gone about his first 12 months at the Blues with infectious enthusiasm.
That much was immediately evident when he sat down with Carlton Media to discuss a whirlwind 96 hours, where he had been informed he was initially unsuccessful, to producing a typically energetic performance in Saturday’s VFL practice match, to now getting this chance after the SSP deadline was extended.
“I’ve been going for this club since I was a kid, it’s so surreal. I didn’t think anything of it, but I’m so pumped to get started,” White said.
“It was a tough one to swallow not getting picked, but that’s part of the system. I just knew I needed to keep working hard and the opportunity would present at one point - I didn’t think it’d be like this… I wanted to pride myself on how I reacted, it wasn’t ideal but it all comes down to your character.
“It’s definitely unfortunate with Jagga, but hopefully I can take this opportunity. I’m so excited to get into it, I’m so grateful and can’t believe it has happened.”
It’s been quite the rollercoaster ride for the newest Carlton player who hasn’t done things the conventional way, in turn becoming the fifth player recruited out of the Carlton Reserves program in the last four seasons.
Joining the likes of Jordan Boyd (Spotswood/Footscray VFL), Alex Cincotta and fellow SSP signing Francis Evans in the path of persistence, White seemingly wanted to thank every single person who’s been part of his football journey to date following his last-minute call-up.
“I’m from down in Warrnambool, I love it down there - South Warrnambool Roosters, my favourite club! I started at the Emmanuel Hawks when I was young and worked my way up to South Warrnambool with the Matt Battistello crew, who are actually going for a three-peat this year - I was thankful enough to play there.
“I joined the [Greater Western Victoria] Rebels and played through there which was a great opportunity, and then came through the VFL system here. I absolutely love the Club: going for the Club since I was a kid, even being on the VFL list was so cool.
“And now I’m here! It’s pretty exciting, a whirlwind, but I’m so pumped. I pinch myself being at this Club, the facilities and everything and just buying into it. It’s such an awesome experience and environment, and all the boys are so great: even after my opportunity didn’t present, the love and support I got was something I couldn’t believe.”
He arguably saved his biggest compliment for the entirety of the Carlton Reserves’ coaching staff, who he says on more than one occasion “I wouldn’t be here without them”.
From idolising Chris Judd to forming an on-field connection with the likes of Jesse Motlop and Ashton Moir, White was full of praise for the team that Luke Power has assembled with the VFL Blues for making this happen - yet while Power himself would laud the hard work and dedication that White has shown since day one, the Blues’ newest AFL rookie would rather credit those who helped him along the way.
“From the top, Luke Power has been unreal for my development. It’s such a credit to him, it’s such a great culture in the VFL.
“Working with Torin [Baker] the forwards coach and being able to tell him was so awesome and something I never expected. Tom Lonergan and Brad Ebert I get along with so well, Tom Langford as well - I’ve worked very closely with him.
“They’re so good for development and I’ve loved my time at the VFL, I couldn’t wait to tell the boys to be honest.”
