TODD White wants to join older brother Jesse as a Koroit premiership player.
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The Saints teenager has established himself in the Hampden flag favourite’s back line in 2018 – four years after Jesse wrote his name in the club’s history books.
White, 17, watched Jesse, now 22 and representing Torquay, play in the 2014 grand final, eager to one day replicate his feat.
He joined Koroit from junior club Hawks last season and made his senior debut on Good Friday this year.
“Looking on, I really liked the look of Koroit and definitely wanted to get out there,” White said of crossing to Victoria Park.
“I was lucky enough to get an opportunity at the start of this year through the absence of Jayden Watson so I took the opportunity and have loved it since.
“The leadership group at Koroit have been really good and supportive and have made the transition from 18s football to seniors a lot easier for me, onfield and off field.”
White has played 15 of the Saints’ 16 games to date, missing last weekend with illness.
The prospect of playing finals is now dawning on the Emmanuel College student.
“I was always thinking I was just filling in a spot for a few players to come back in,” he said.
“But maybe only a week or two ago it occured to me I might not be just filling in a spot anymore.
“The realisation I could potentially play senior football finals is really exciting.”
White said Koroit’s experience, particularly the advice from coach Chris McLaren, had helped him get an “insight into the game”.
“Chris has just helped me direct my game well and has been helping me with little bits and pieces here and there,” he said.
“Getting feedback from Tim Martin who is the main vocalist down back helps too and Todd McLean is usually the last man in defence, so he will be pointing you here and there to help you with positioning.”
White, who is also a division one cricketer at Warrnambool and District club Nestles, said the Saints’ set-up made it easier for teenage players to settle in.
“They’ve been really well-drilled through Chris with his coaching and they’re all there for the right reasons,” he said.
“They all really get behind the young boys and are really supportive. The culture is really welcoming and inclusive.
“I couldn’t be happier with how everything is going and how the boys treat us.”
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