WHEN WILL White runs out for his first AFL game in front of a sold-out crowd on Thursday night, it’ll mark the beginning of another significant chapter for the young forward.

While the AFL Draft has never been more keenly watched and the journeys of the next crop are studied intently, White represents yet another story of a player who has done it the unconventional way.

Sure, White featured for the GWV Rebels in the Coates Talent League in his draft year of 2022, featuring in 11 games. But it’s been the journey since then which will make his AFL debut - which just a few months ago seemed a world away - all the more sweet.

After going undrafted at the end of that campaign, White - the boyhood Blue who had close mate Archie Stevens debut for the Carlton Reserves in 2022 - trained with the VFL Blues heading into the 2023 season. There were no guarantees, just a chance.

As VFL Senior Coach Luke Power recalled recently, there was a single moment which caught the eye.

“I reckon there was one blind turn that caught our eye. I turned to [development coach] Torin Baker and said ‘no other player on our list can do a turn like that… I think we have to list him’. So I guess you could say Will got on the VFL list on the back of one blind turn at training,” Power said with a laugh.

It didn’t go swimmingly for White after that point, either. Despite earning his spot on the VFL list, White didn’t play a game for the Carlton Reserves in his maiden season, outside of a practice match in pre-season.

There was success, though, when he featured for the South Warrnambool Roosters in their premiership. He returned to the Reserves for 2024, eager to make it work and challenge himself at the best level possible - he did that in spades.

Almost instantly, White started to turn heads when he made his VFL debut in the opening game of the season. He played a central role in the Blues’ breakthrough win with three goals, and contributed 13 majors in his opening eight games as a crafty left-footer who backed himself with his speed.

He didn’t stop there, though. Challenging himself more and more, he continued to hit the scoreboard while also having more of an impact higher up the ground.

“He didn’t play a game in his first year and we didn’t get to see the best of him. But in his second year, he felt comfortable in the environment and was really well supported by our players and staff - he started to flourish and realise his potential,” Power said.

“He’s a great character and someone that brings energy to people: he’s going to bring a lot of enjoyment to people around him, and to people outside the Club who support us.”

White’s performances - which earned him acknowledgement as the Carlton Reserves’ Best Young Player - as well as his character saw him train with the AFL side on a number of occasions over the summer: again, with no guarantees, but setting himself the challenge to improve every day.

And yet again, it wasn’t away.

Why did that AFL debut ‘seem a world away’? Well, because when the supplemental selection period deadline closed, White wasn’t on the list. For all intents and purposes, he was going to return to the VFL list, grateful for the experience but hungry for more.

Still with a smile on his face, he even played in a VFL practice match just days after getting the news he had missed out on a list spot.

That was until the untimely injury to Jagga Smith against St Kilda, which saw the AFL extend the supplemental selection period deadline and the Blues take the punt on the 21-year-old from Warrnambool.

Where has the led to? An AFL debut against Collingwood at the MCG for Carlton - a fixture he ventured to countless times as a Bluebagger from Warrnambool.

For AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss, White’s rise has caught a few by surprise, yet it has been earned along every step of the way.

“He trained with us over the Christmas period during pre-season and he elevated himself. It was a bit unexpected to see him come through and find himself on a list: when you persist with things and keep the dream alive, he’s now going to be able to play against Collingwood at the MCG in a very big game.

“He’s got speed. His presence and zippiness is something we want on the ground and he’s a great runner. He’s full of life, full of energy and he’s a pretty excited young man: we’ll try and make it as normal as possible for him, it’s going to be very different for him.”

And for anyone who has come across Carlton’s No.38 that had a soft spot for Jeffy Garlett growing up, try and wipe the smile off his face at the home of footy.