After spending months knocking on the door at Sandringham, Brandon White was finally let inside last weekend.
Almost 12 months had passed between his first and second games, although you wouldn’t have known that by White’s performance at Adelaide Oval.
In difficult conditions against difficult opposition, the 20-year-old slipped seamlessly into the boots left by the hamstrung Leigh Montagna, shining in the rain with his composure and precise left foot.
In just over 60 minutes of game time, White collected 13 disposals at an efficiency rate of 84.6 per cent, to go with five rebound 50s and 359 metres gained against Port Adelaide.
“It has been frustrating at times. I suppose you can’t really do anything about it, you’ve just got to play good footy,” White said on the H&M Tracey Emerging Stars podcast on Friday.
“I was inconsistent at the start of the year but I’ve built some form up and was rewarded with a game on the weekend.
“I really enjoyed it, it was good to get back in the side finally, it’s been a long time, nearly a year. I really enjoyed being at half-back alongside Geary, ‘Robbo’ and Jimmy. I loved being out there.”
While White has been forced to patiently bide his time at Beach Road this season, Lindsay Gilbee has been there every step of the way.
Not only has the former All-Australian half-back coached him at Sandringham this year, he has also spent countless hours sharpening White’s potent left-foot, which much like Gilbee’s, has a capacity to carve games apart.
“‘Gilbs’ has been massive through the tough times and the good times he’s always been by my side. He has been huge (for my development),” White said ahead of Sunday’s game against West Coast at Etihad Stadium.
“Kicking wise, he’s always in the gym, always outside early in the day. He’s been a huge help and will continue to be for sure.”
Competition for spots has been fierce all year long at Linen House Centre, but no more so than at half-back.
The form of Montagna, Sam Gilbert and Dylan Roberton has kept an experienced rebounding type in Shane Savage out of the team for large chunks of 2017, while Dan McKenzie has been in and out and White has barely had a look in.
Father-son recruit Bailey Rice, who is one of White’s best mates, is competing with White for the same spot and hasn’t been able to break through for a debut just yet. But one day, White envisages a half-back line with one of them on each flank.
“We’re pretty similar, we’re both trying to get the same spot really,” he said.
“We stir each other up a little bit, just like ‘How many kicks did you get on the weekend? I had more than you. I’m probably a better chance’ and things like that.
“At the end of the day hopefully in a few year’s
While that day hasn’t arrived just yet, it might not be too far down the track for St Kilda. Right now, White has an opportunity to lay the foundations for a breakout 2018.
