White's yellow and black blood
6:20 PM Thu 7 June, 2007 | BACK
By Greg Lange
for richmondfc.com.au
There are only two other people that are more excited about Matthew White's arrival onto the AFL scene than White himself – his dad and grandfather.
In fact, so pleased was White's grandfather that he had a tiger's head, with Matt's number 35 underneath, tattooed onto his shoulder three weeks ago – accompanying the one on his arm he had done many moons ago.
White says his grandfather's enthusiasm for Richmond-themed body art was inspired by the sight of Jack Dyer doing what he did best in a game against Fitzroy at Punt Road when he was just a boy.
"He came to his first AFL game with his cousin, I think," White said. "Apparently, Jack knocked someone out that day and Richmond got up and won. After the game he decided he would barrack for the Tigers."
Naturally, the unbridled enthusiasm for the Tigers filtered down to White's father, who has continued the Richmond loyalty by barracking passionately – and loudly – at every Richmond game.
Of course, the yellow and black blood running through the veins of the entire White clan increased to tsunami-like conditions when the former Calder Under 18 star was selected by the Tigers in last year's NAB AFL pre-season draft.
"I think everyone was hoping that I would play for Richmond," grinned White. "So, yes, they were very, very happy."
So, too, was the Richmond Football Club, which selected the pacey wing/half-back with their one and only pick in that pre-season draft.
Since debuting against Fremantle in round 10 last year, White has rewarded his club's faith, clocking up 14 games – 11 last year and three so far this season.
White says he is "absolutely loving" life as an AFL footballer and is yet to get over the feeling of running onto the ground and, in particular, hearing the sweet music provided by the Tigers cheer squad.
"They are just brilliant behind the goals with some of the things they sing and chant," he said.
After a successful first season with Richmond last year, where he averaged 11 possessions per game, White says he is fully focused on continuing the upward trend.
One of his goals this year is to play more games in the senior team than he did in 2006. The young Tiger acknowledges he will have to improve his consistency in order to achieve that goal.
"My form so far this season has been up and down; good form at VFL level, and slowly starting to find it at AFL level," he said.
"On the field, I know I need to keep my possession rate up and make sure I am making an impact wherever I am and also shutting down my opponent."
"Basically I have to keep it simple and just get the job done."
Full article at:
http://richmondfc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/6301/Default.aspx?newsId=44739
