South Warrnambool forward Will White soaking up wealth of footy knowledge

The South Warrnambool forward, who booted two goals in his senior debut against Hamilton Kangaroos in May, has a wealth of knowledge at his disposal.

White is learning from Roosters coach Mat Battistello, spearheads Shannon and Brayden Beks and three-time Hampden league premiership mentor Chris McLaren, who leads Emmanuel College's school footy side.

The 17-year-old told The Standard he was determined to hold his spot but would focus purely on bettering his game to help his team.

"I just want to keep pushing for a senior game, really, and keep learning. I found out a few things from playing seniors and how to improve on that and help the team," White said.

"If (I'm not playing seniors) I can keep trying to play good footy in the (under 18.5s). I'm really working on that crumbing aspect of my game, seeing as I'm a smaller lad.

"In (juniors) I'd probably go for my marks but in seniors it was that learning the structure and I was pretty fortunate with the coaches we have as they put a lot of time into us juniors.

"I was lucky enough that I had the support of the coaches and teammates and they let me know what I'm doing. We sort of train like we play so it (integrates) that into your game."

He said the Beks brothers, who also play as forwards, had fast-tracked his development.

"I think it helps massively (when you're on the same page as forwards). But even if things aren't going right, we've been working a lot on just taking feedback," he said.

"It's all right to do the wrong thing. You're pushing to do it right against your teams like Koroit because you're always striving to beat the best team.

"If we (as forwards) can be on the same page and just take on that feedback... Especially someone like Shannon, he'll tell me if I haven't done something right but that makes me better as a player and a teammate and helps me on game day."

White said the chance to make his senior debut and play alongside close mate Myles McCluggage was "surreal".

"I didn't know it would happen. But 'Batters' would always talk to me and tell me what to improve on. He sort of said 'the next six weeks, before the bye, we'll try to get you a game'," White said.

"It was good that he told me that because I felt pretty confident at training and I sort of knew I was around about there and could do it. I was pretty lucky to get a game.

"He called me into the little box where the coaches were and he just said 'look up on the board' and my name was there with Myles'. I then went into the change-rooms where all the boys were and got to tell them so it was a pretty surreal moment."

As for life after school?

"I'm not sure really. I'm just pretty focused on my footy at the moment. It's been good having a bit of school footy with Chris McLaren and getting a different point of view as well from a pretty good coach," he said.

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